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BAHAMAS: Artisans encouraged to take advantage of conch shell industry

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#Freeport, GB, May 1, 2019 – Bahamas – Artists and artisans were encouraged to fully utilize conch shells which have been discarded by Bahamians for generations.

During the official opening of the Conch Shell Carving Workshop held on Tuesday, April 30 at Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation’s Grand Bahama Arts and Crafts Centre, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Michael Pintard, said there are a number of products that can be created using conch shells.

Minister Pintard urged to group to form and strengthen existing Cooperatives so that they may collaborate and strengthen their bargaining power.

“For example, when you have a discussion with the Grand Bahama Port Authority about the transformation of downtown and other areas, conch shells and other naturally occurring resources in Grand Bahama can be used as a part of a design and beautification of Freeport.

“Rather than one or two artists engaging in that enterprise, it would make a tremendous amount of sense if you have a cooperative of artisans that will enlarge your bargaining voice when you speak with Central Government, the municipal government which is the Grand Bahama Port Authority, when you speak to Carnival, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Hutchison Whampoa, because all of them will need to design, decorate and enhance their properties.

“And we will insist that you are included in those discussions.”

It would make sense, he said, when a team is working together to guarantee consistency in terms of work and supply of products, as well as pricing as a result of volume.

Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Iram Lewis urged those present to take advantage of a virtually untapped market.

For years, he said, Bahamians only saw the value of the conch for food and so the shell, was discarded. People, he continued, never saw the real value of the shell. He suggested that the shells be used to make items such as ashtrays, chandeliers, scones, jewellery and many other items.

They were encouraged to “dream big and plan bigger” as it is an industry that should not fail. The only limitations that will be placed on them, he said, is what they impose on themselves.

Following the ceremony, the Minister and Mr. Lewis were shown a number of items on display manufactured from conch shells.

Every quarter, BAIC will host workshops to encourage and train residents to become self-employed in producing Bahamian made products.

By Robyn Adderley

Photo Caption: During the official opening of the Conch Shell Carving Workshop, April 30, 2019, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, the Hon. Michael Pintard, encouraged artisans to strengthen their Co-operatives so as to become a formidable bargaining unit.  

(BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

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CARICOM speaks out on Climate Change, looking to May meeting to amplify call for Climate Funding

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March 3, 2024

 

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) remains on the frontlines of global climate crisis, an issue the Region has been aggressively advocating on for the past thirty years. Despite the many commitments and promises of international partners, the window of opportunity to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is rapidly closing.

Heads of Government are concerned that while COP 28 was widely regarded as a historic event, with the completion of the first global stocktake (GST), on progress in achievement of the Paris Agreement goals, the outcomes of GST show that emissions of greenhouse gases continue to rise and the nationally determined contributions (NDCs) of Parties will not keep global temperatures below the 1.5 degree goal enshrined in the Paris Agreement.

Heads of Government also expressed concern to be heading to COP 29 where a New Finance Goal will be articulated to replace the 100bn goal, which has not yet been met, even as developing countries require trillions to deal with the escalating impacts of climate change. Developed country parties have not provided enough finance at scale, technology and capacity building support required to help developing countries tackle their pressing needs to build their resilience, especially in adapting to the adverse and increasingly catastrophic impacts of climate change. The clear absence of definitive timelines for action and quantitative commitments for scaling up of investments, and particularly adaptation finance emerging out of COP 28, cause great concern to our Region.

The Conference noted that Small Island Developing States (SIDS), recognized as the most vulnerable group of countries and a special case for sustainable development, have been facing strong push back against the recognition of their special circumstances especially in the context of climate finance. There is limited international support for special allocations for SIDS within financing arrangements and available climate finance from international and private sources is limited, expensive and too onerous to access.

In light of the preceding, Heads of Government called for CARICOM to take a strategic, unified and coordinated approach to ensure that the Region remains influential in the climate and development arena through engagements with key partners and advocacy groups.

They called for renewed focus by the Region to advocate for inclusion of forests, nature-based solutions and blue carbon into market mechanisms with the aim of articulating clear regional positions and strategies.

Heads of Government reiterated the call for improved readiness programmes, simplified approval procedures, a change to the criteria for determining access to low-cost finance, and for the adoption of programmatic approaches to address the bottlenecks in accessing finance.

The Region reiterates its support for the Bridgetown Initiative’s call to expand capital adequacy of international financial institutions.

Heads recognized that the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States, scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda, 27 – 30 May 2024, will be an inflection point for many of these discussions to be articulated. As such, the Region remains committed to participating in the Conference at the highest level.

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South Caicos Development Plans shared with Washington-Misick led Administration

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On Monday, 12 February 2024, the Premier led a delegation to tour the island of South Caicos to view the ongoing public and private sector projects, involving the remodelling and rebranding of the airport terminals, historical districts, and the East Bay Hotel.

The tour of the various developments reinforced the Government’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to boost the island’s activity and economy.

Photos courtesy of the TCI Office of the Premier

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Ministry of Tourism continues to get rid of dilapidated structures

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By LINDSAY THOMPSON

Bahamas Information Services

NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation is continuing to rid areas of derelict and dilapidated structures posing safety problems, and a threat to the overall tourism product.

In this vein the recent structure to be demolished was the Gaming Board building owned by the Hotel Corporation.  Located adjacent to Goodman’s Bay Beach on West Bay Street, it was formerly the Sir Harry Oakes property; the northern portion once housed Bahamas Information Services for several years.

 


On hand to witness the demolition were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper, and Senator Randy Rolle, Global Consultant, MOTIA.

The demolition started on Monday, February 5, 2024 by Virgo Construction headed by the contractor Terry Delancy.  

DPM Cooper explained that the government felt the Gaming Board building should no longer sit there in a derelict manner, and continue to be an eyesore and pose safety concerns.

“Goodman’s Bay will be enhanced as a result of getting rid of this building. It will be more aesthetically pleasing for residents who traverse this area. Women who walk in the mornings in particular through these areas will be pleased to see that this has become a green space, rather than a derelict structure,” he said.

DPM Cooper also noted that his ministry consulted broadly with the Antiquities, Monuments & Museums Corporation (AMMC), and other historians before proceeding with demolition.

“We are sure not to take any actions as it relates to buildings, without consultation. So they were very comfortable with the process and we continue to work closely with them on all of the buildings that we have demolished in the downtown area,” he said.

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