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Blockchain conference participants invited to invest in Grand Bahama

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#Freeport, GrandBahama, June 22, 2018 – Bahamas – During opening day of the first Bahamas Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Conference, presenters and visiting guests were invited by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest to invest in the island.  The conference was officially opened Wednesday, June 21, at the Grand Lucayan by Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis.  The event ends on Friday.

Minister Turnquest said, “The investment opportunities in Grand Bahama straddle many sectors: technology, of course, in keeping with our vision for Grand Bahama to be the tech hub for The Bahamas, to be the Silicon Valley of the Caribbean; but also the tourism industry, the maritime field, and the industrial sector.  This is reflected in the anchor businesses currently on the island, and those projects in development and under consideration.”

Listing some of the major companies currently doing business on the island, the Minister cited Freeport Container Port, Grand Bahama Shipyard, and Buckeye Bahamas Ltd.

“All of these existing investments speak to the diverse business community we already have here in Grand Bahama; and our desire is to see the island continue to grow as a hub of innovation and industry.  There are clear and present signs that investors have bought into this vision for Grand Bahama.”

With the recent commitment from Grand Palm Beach Acquisitions investment group that committed $2 billion over the next ten years to repair, revitalize and develop the former Ginn Sur Mer project in West End, this development is expected to include multiple hotels, including a casino hotel, branded hotel residences, two marinas, a golf course, an organic farm, and a smart city.

“This means digital technology will be a part of the core design and operation of this resort and residential community.

“We certainly want to encourage the use and integration of technology in ways that create efficiencies, improve environmental sustainability, boost economic development and enhance quality of life factors for people living and working in our islands.”

The Deputy Prime Minister further stated, “In many respects, Grand Bahama is seeing a surge of interest from investors, some of whom are returning to complete projects that were impacted by the global recession.

“The $5 million Seaward Fishing Village Project, which had its genesis in 2003, will be resuming development in West Grand Bahama.  The 35-acre site in Deadman’s Reef will generate quite a boost in the construction of vacation homes, creating a unique community for year-round visitors looking for an opportunity to dock their boats and enjoy the best sports fishing on offer in The Bahamas.  It will provide significant infrastructural development including the installation of underground electrical and water utilities, roads and a 1,400 ft. marina.

“Also in the pipeline is a $47 million development by Grand Bahama Project Leisure Ltd., which has been approved in principle by the government. Their plan is to build a world-class motor sport, tourism and commercial development, also in West End, to be constructed on a few dozen acres of beachfront property.  The project includes construction of 300 villas and a karting track with educational facilities.”

Describing the opportunities on the island as “ripe,” Deputy Prime Minister Turnquest said the Bahamas Blockchain and Crytocurrency Conference is timely because:

  1. “First, as a government we set out a vision for Grand Bahama to be the tech hub for The Bahamas and the region; to be the Silicon Valley of The Caribbean, so we are committed to pursuing those opportunities that will bring this vision to life in Grand Bahama.
  2. “Second, blockchain and cryptocurrency, in particular are dynamic and game changing technologies, and as a country we want to be at the forefront of their use and integration into our systems, particularly where they can improve the ease of doing business and lead to innovations that boost development.
  3. “Third, the technology sector on the whole is one which the government is keen to develop and promote niche markets in The Bahamas. Earlier this year, we enacted the Commercial Enterprises Act, which creates a special work-permitting structure that allows companies to set up their operations quickly, when they are making substantive investments in targeted areas in the tech sector and other areas, including: Nanotechnology, Data Storage, Software Design, Manufacturing Enterprises, Wealth Management, Computer Technology, Captive Insurance, Maritime and Aviation Registration, among others.”

With the introduction of The Commercial Enterprises Act, he said, new foreign direct investment and job creation is already being seen with the multi-million dollar investment by GIBC Digital.  The company has already hired 25 people and will have their official opening next Thursday. With an estimated economic impact of $10 million during the first year, the company is set to hire an additional 25 people, and has made Freeport their training headquarters.  They expect to expand their Bahamian operation to over 150 employees and build a state-of-the-art, sustainable Data and Al centre within three years.  It is hoped their economic impact will be in the area of $50 million by 2020.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated, “The fourth and final reason this conference is so timely: The government has a vision of a Digital Bahamas, and we are heavily invested in the government’s leadership role in this area.

“What do I mean by that? As a government we cannot rightly champion ideas that we are not adopting ourselves.  The more we allow the population to interact with us digitally, the more we facilitate the necessary behavior shifts to bring our vision of a Digital Bahamas to life.”

 

By: Robyn Adderley (BIS)

 

 

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Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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