Bahamas News
Minister Moxey says investor confidence in Grand Bahama is strong
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas — Addressing some important initiatives and developments that are shaping the future of Grand Bahama, Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey said she was pleased to report that on-going investments on the island demonstrates strong investor confidence in the potential of the Grand Bahamian economy.
Her update also provided insight and information on various opportunities which she anticipates will have a positive
impact on the lives of residents of the island.
“The recent developments and investments that have taken place on the island are a testament to the commitment to investments to creating a thriving business environment on Grand Bahama,” said Minister Moxey, during the Office of the Prime Minister’s Weekly Press Briefing, in the conference room of the Ministry of Grand Bahama on Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Minister Moxey pointed to projects like the proposed redevelopment of the Grand Bahama International Airport, the new owners of the former Equinor Terminal, a number of new Resorts expected to come online, as well as a number of local investor companies.
“The Carnival Cruise Port is proceeding very well,” said Minister Moxey. “We get monthly updates on the project and I’m excited about the development taking place there. It’s pretty much on schedule. The Investment of O2 in the Lucayan area is proceeding very well. The land has been cleared and infrastructure is in place. That’s going to create additional opportunities for our people in terms of employment. The Sixth Sense Resort is also on the way and they’re committed to building this in the Discovery Bay area. It will enhance the island’s tourism offering.
“The consistent airline arrivals are encouraging. We have some more work to do, but with the restoration of the new airport, that is expected to increase the numbers. I’m pleased that we are almost there at pre-Dorian, pre-pandemic numbers.
“Equinor was sold to Levithon and it is exciting what’s going to be happening there within two months, during which time there will be some three hundred people on that site with lots of construction for the redevelopment of that industry.”
Minister Moxey said the projects represent diverse assets in the island’s tourism, health care infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. She said she’s committed to creating an environment that supports and encourages such investments in the island’s economy.
“I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure that our island thrives,” she added. “I also want to ensure that our people thrive as well. So, the question is ‘how do we lift our people up along with the projects and investments? How do we create entrepreneurial opportunities for our people?’
“Together, let us embrace these opportunities and build strong partnerships, as we continue to recover, rebuild and revolutionize Grand Bahama.”
In addition to direct foreign investment, Minister Moxey revealed that the government is taking the initiative to promote the positive opportunities which are available in Grand Bahama. The Minister pointed to several promotion trips and missions which the government have embarked upon recently in North Carolina, Charlotte, Ottawa and Canada, touting the investment opportunities that exist in The Bahamas, Grand Bahama in particular.
“But we’ve been focusing on innovation,” added Minister Moxey. “In our Blueprint for Change we promised that the Digital 700 would herald transformational opportunities, including new jobs, new services, new industries, and new markets. We’ve also committed to focusing on attracting investment and industry across all sectors. To equip and engage with our embassies, consulates, and the diaspora to assist with promotions. To partner with international organizations for business cultural tourism, educational and humanitarian exchanges. And to advance the Bahamas as a digital society inclusive of smart technology.
“That’s business tourism, agri-tourism, edu-tourism, heritage and film tourism, executive education and smart cities.
We formed a partnership in Ottawa with what is called Hub 350 in the development of our own Innovation Hub.”
Minister Moxey spoke of an upcoming trade and investment mission that is in collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency. It will be held in Ghana and in Lagos, Nigeria. Minister Moxey, who will be travelling with other Government officials on these missions, will be presenting the significant opportunities that Grand Bahama possesses. It will allow the Government of the Bahamas to forge strong trade ties and explore potential investments between Ghana, Nigeria, and The Bahamas.
According to Minister Moxey, this relationship opportunity with Africa is very important for The Bahamas.
“The opportunities in Grand Bahama are endless,” added Minister Moxey. “We are strategically located so close to the state of Florida; we have a major trans-shipment terminal; we have distribution and logistics capabilities; we have a free trade zone in this area, so we’re very attractive for investments. We have identified Grand Bahama Island as the home of maritime and logistics, which it has been for a very long time, but it is also the home of entertainment and the home of innovation.
“As a result, we are supposed to be innovating. We’re supposed to be piloting a lot of these projects that will take The Bahamas to the next level. I believe the opportunities in Grand Bahama have not been tapped into the way they should be.”
(BIS Photo)
#BARBADOS (September 26, 2023) – The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) deeply mourns the loss of distinguished Bahamian leader and former chairman of the inter-regional body, Obediah Wilchcombe.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Wilchcombe was serving as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting
and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.
“We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Minister Wilchcombe’s family, as well as the government and people of the Bahamas. He was a true champion for the people of the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region,” remarked Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands.
Chairman Bryan recalled Minister Wilchcombe held the position of CTO Chairman twice (2002-2004 and 2016-2017) while serving as Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas, and contributed significantly to the advancement of sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean.
Chairman Bryan noted that the CTO plans to honor the life and legacy of “this eminent Bahamian leader” at the organization’s upcoming business meetings and the State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Turks and Caicos next month.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TheBahamas, September 26, 2023 – The Bahamas’ Minister for Social Services, the Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe made headlines in a completely unexpected way on Monday September 25; the veteran broadcaster and long-time politician, who passed away suddenly in his home island, Grand Bahama.
Reports to our newsroom were that Wilchcombe was found unresponsive and rushed to the Rand Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Reports say the Minister passed due to heart failure at 64 years old.
The Office of the Prime Minister informed the prime minister would immediately travel to Freeport, Grand Bahama to be with loved ones of his Cabinet colleague.
The office offered this: Expressing condolences to the family, friends, loved ones and colleagues of Minister Wilchcombe, a true patriot, visionary leader and his cherished friend, the nation’s leader, in his official statement, said he was doing so with the heaviest of hearts.
“Obie’s untimely passing is very shocking and very sad. Even though he has achieved much in his many years of public service, he still had so much more to offer,” Prime Minister Davis said.
The Minister, affectionately called Obie Wilchcombe, was a fierce Member of Parliament who has been serving in politics for about 28 years, starting in 1994, according to the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
Not only did he serve as Senator and Cabinet Minister, but he was also the former Minister of Tourism and a National Chairman of the PLP.
“Our party is reeling this morning,” said Minister Fred Mitchell, current PLP National Chairman in a statement, “The party joins in those expressions. We have a deep sense of loss from one we have known over the decades of public life.
On behalf of the PLP, our leader and the entire team, supporters and friends, we can extend condolences to his family.”
Former prime minister and PLP party leader, Rt Hon Perry Christie said, “Obie served with distinction as Minister of Tourism. He was a dedicated servant of the people and a chief steward of our nation’s number one industry for some ten years. Any student of the tourism industry for the period of Obie’s ministerial tenure will be left in no doubt as to the magnitude and importance of his numerous accomplishments in relation to the growth and development of Bahamian tourism.”
In fact, as Tourism Minister, his notable accomplishments, according to party leader and prime minister, Davis included the introduction of sports tourism and the creation of a policy which helped to cement The Bahamas as an ideal film destination; two of the top three films of 2006 were shot in The Bahamas.
Additionally, the late Minister was a sportsman.
Wilchcombe served as former President of the Grand Bahama Basketball Association and the Commonwealth American Football League (CAFL).
His career in journalism is legendary. Having worked with the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas as a reporter, anchorman and eventually taking on leadership roles including Deputy General Manager. At the time of his death, Minister Wilchcombe was holder of the Information and Broadcast portfolios of the Davis Administration.
“This is a very sad occasion for the Commonwealth of the Bahamas as you’d be aware one of our Frontline soldiers who would have labored very long in the public service Vineyard had passed, we learned early this morning the Honorable Obie Wilchcombe passed away the free national movement wishes is to extend condolences to his immediate and extended family and to members of the Progressive Liberal Party and to members of the journalism fraternity, having lost someone who has played an integral role in the development of this country,” said Michael Pintard, fellow Grand Bahamian and Leader of the Official Opposition, Free National Movement.
From the region, there is also reflection and condolences. From the Caribbean Tourism Organization: The CTO
deeply mourns the loss of distinguished Bahamian leader and former chairman of the inter-regional body, Obediah Wilchcombe.
At the time of his passing, Mr. Wilchcombe was serving as Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, and Leader of Government Business in the House of Assembly of the Bahamas.
“We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to Minister Wilchcombe’s family, as well as the government and people of the Bahamas. He was a true champion for the people of the Bahamas and the wider Caribbean region,” remarked Kenneth Bryan, CTO Chairman and Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands.
“The Premier and Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands sends its condolences to the family, friends, government, and people of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas on the sudden passing of the late Hon. Obediah Wilchcombe, Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, MP.
May his soul rest in peace,” said Hon Washington Misick, TCI Premier.
The death of Minister Obediah Wilchcombe is the first; a cabinet minister dying while still in office has no place in recent memory for many. It will mean a by-election for The Bahamas and a mournful experience when parliament reopens on October 4; Hon Wilchcombe with his vast experience and eloquence was also the Government Leader of Business in the House of Assembly, which is currently prorogued.
people of Grand Bahama, the Hon. Keith Bell, who recently took on the portfolio as the new minister of Housing and Urban Renewal, travelled to Grand Bahama, September 21, to meet with Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey and relevant stakeholders.Top on the agenda was the decrepit state of the housing complex situated in the Garden Villas area, a stone’s throw away from the downtown shopping district.Minister Bell was also accompanied by Minister of State in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal, the Hon. Lisa Rahming and a delegation from New Providence.Before conducting a walkabout in the Garden Villas area, Ministers Moxey and Bell headed the contingent in meetings with executives of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Grand Bahama Development Company
Thursday morning.“We’ve also had tours at various facilities that will help us carry through some of these projects that we want to do. But I’m just excited that we will begin to see action because there is so much that our people have been going through and so we are working hand in hand, the Ministry for Grand Bahama, Housing and Urban Renewal, to ensure that we not only bring relief but that we will revitalize these communities,” Minister Moxey said.The delegation performed a general walkthrough in the Garden Villas area to get a first-hand view of the living conditions and spoke to a number of residents.Cognizant of the work ahead and the relief it would bring to the area residents, Minister Moxey was elated to collaborate with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Renewal and private stakeholders to get the projects started.
“I’m so excited that they are here on Grand Bahama to really assess the situation on the ground. There is a lot of work that needs to be done. We are now in the Garden Villas area that requires numerous issues to be addressed. One of them is housing. You can see many of these dilapidated structures that exist,” she said, while pointing out that Minister Bell has made Garden Villas a priority as one of the initial projects to be undertaken on Grand Bahama.The delegation also visited the area Urban Renewal Office and the Heritage Subdivision.
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