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PM Minnis: Government’s dramatic reform agenda, and certainty and stability, have helped to improve economy

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#Bahamas, January 19, 2018 – Nassau – The Bahamian economy is steadily improving as a result of the Minnis Administration’s dramatic reform agenda during the first seven months of its governance of The Bahamas, and while there is still “a long road ahead,” there are positive prospects for the economy on the horizon, Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Hubert A. Minnis said Thursday.  Prime Minister Minnis said the turnaround is also a result of the “certainty and stability” his Administration has brought to the table insofar as government policy (policies) is concerned.

“Certainty and stability are crucial for economic growth and development,” Prime Minister Minnis told a packed room.  “Even in tough economic conditions, businesses invest and create jobs if there is certainty about government policies on things like work permits, taxes, regulations relating to their business and other matters.”

Addressing the Opening Session of the 27th Annual Bahamas Business Outlook Seminar under the theme “Creating a World Class Bahamas,” Prime Minister Minnis said his Administration undertook a number of initiatives of dramatic reform and transformation in order to stabilize the Bahamian economy when it first took over the reins of governance on May 10, 2017.

Prime Minister Minnis said his Administration was also able to forestall further downgrade of the country’s credit rating through “quick action and careful financial management” a process, the Prime Minister said, took tremendous effort and “reining-in” of public finances.

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“Upon coming to office, my Government fully appreciated that becoming a world class country demanded dramatic and ongoing reform, modernization and transformation.

“To aggressively pursue our reform agenda required a programme of immediate stabilization; ideas for economic liberalization and public sector reform, and a variety of initiatives to boost growth and development.

“We had to first stabilize public finances and the economy through fiscal discipline, transparency and honesty with international agencies. Through quick action and careful financial management, we forestalled further downgrade of our credit rating. This took tremendous effort and reining-in of public finances.”

Prime Minister Minnis said his Administration continues to address the issue of corruption by public officials – which he said is a burden on the public sector and which retards investment, development and productivity.   Additionally, the Government “continues to take the necessary steps” to comply with various international norms and protect the country’s financial services industry.

“Upon our election to office, The Bahamas faced the threat of immediate blacklisting by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union.  We faced blacklisting if we failed to give a definitive indication of our commitment to apply for membership to the Multilateral Convention for the Automatic Exchange of Tax Information.

“We are continuing to take the necessary steps to comply with various international norms and to protect our financial services industry.  The Government is also committed to a programme of dramatic reform and liberalization of the economy.”

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The further liberalization of the economy will include a focus on Bahamian small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) which the Prime Minister said are “a critical part of our economy.”

“These businesses employ thousands of Bahamians. They are critical for economic growth,” Prime Minister Minnis said.

The Prime Minister outlined a litany of initiatives his Administration has undertaken or will undertake in the near future that are designed to “move the Bahamian economy forward” even further.  These include the recent liberalization of the Exchange Control Regime, the introduction and passage of the Commercial Enterprise Bill (now Act), the impending sale of the Grand Lucayan and Memories properties in Grand Bahama, and the establishment of Deliverables Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, among other initiatives.

The Prime Minister also announced his plans to undertake a number of investment promotional trips to Canada, the United States, Europe, East Asia and South American.

By: Matt Maura (BIS)

Photo Caption: Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert Minnis.

(BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

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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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