Bahamas News
PM Davis: Long Island Airport Runway Contract Signing signals the start of the ‘economic heavy lifting’ that Long Island needed
By Eric Rose
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his Official Remarks at the Long Island Airport Runway Contract Signing with Bahamas Hot Mix, on June 18, 2025, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis stated that the signing signaled “the start of the economic heavy lifting that Long Island has needed for far too long”.
“This is a community that has given much to The Bahamas – building contractors, farmers, teachers, fishermen, police officers, and leaders
– and yet, for years, what they’ve received in return has fallen short of what was fair,” he said at the event held at the Office of the Prime Minister on Cable Beach. “Development came slowly. Promises were made, but little changed.
“That pattern ends with us.” Among those present included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper; Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs the Hon. Clay Sweeting; and Permanent Secretary Dr. Anya Symonette; Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism Dr. Kenneth Romer; Director of Works Robert Mouzas; and Managing Director at Bahamas Hot Mix Company, Ltd. Ebbi Saidi.
Prime Minister Davis pointed out that the new runway will unlock real opportunity, making Long Island “more accessible for domestic and international flights, safer for travel, and more attractive to investors, tourists, and returning Bahamians”.
He said: “Better infrastructure brings more than convenience – it brings confidence. Confidence in building a home, confidence in opening a business, confidence in raising a family. It allows people to stay rooted in their community while reaching the rest of the country and the world.”
Prime Minister Davis added: “This runway, combined with the recent road and water project, represents a clear, coordinated vision for Long Island; one that treats the island not as an afterthought, but as a priority; one that backs up talk with action.”
He pointed out that his Government expects that project to create jobs for Bahamians, particularly Long Islanders, and his Government will ensure that it moves forward with “accountability, transparency, and the required urgency”.
Prime Minister Davis also thanked Bahamas Hot Mix for partnering with his Government to bring the runway to life, and the Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs, especially Minister Clay Sweeting, and the Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, and other stakeholders, for their role in “untapping and opening up real opportunities in Long Island”.
“This island has always held promise rich in history, culture, and character; but for too long, the necessary infrastructure was missing,” he noted. “That is what we are building now, piece by piece.”
Prime Minister Davis added: “We started with roads; then came the waterworks; today, the runway; and very soon, within 60 days, the terminal. We are moving forward with plans for a new, modern 10,000-square-foot terminal, equipped with customs and immigration services. This will transform the airport into a formal port of entry – welcoming not just visitors, but returning sons and daughters of Long Island. It’s more than a building. It will be a gateway to possibility.”
“Jets will be able to land with ease,” he continued. “International flights will have a clear destination. Businesses will find it easier to move people and goods. Families will be better connected; and a new standard of development will be set.”
Prime Minister Davis pointed out that the greatest opportunity was in what the project makes possible.
“For Long Islanders living abroad whether in Nassau, Grand Bahama, the U.S., or elsewhere, this work sends a message: the time to come
home is drawing nigh,” he said. “Your island is changing. The infrastructure is coming into place. The barriers that pushed so many away are starting to fall.”
He added: “We are building an island that welcomes you back not just for holidays or retirement – but for business, for family, for life. Today goes beyond roads, runways, or terminals. It’s about a return: a return to roots; a return to community. Return to your home. With every investment we make, we unlock the capital and confidence already here quietly held in the hands of people who never stopped believing in this place.”
Prime Minister stated that Long Island did not need to be reinvented.
“It needs to be supported,” he said. “And once supported, it will rise.”
“We’re doing the work to make that rise real, for the people here now and for those ready to come back and finish what they started,” Prime Minister Davis added.
“And I can clearly say, it is truly a new day in Long Island.”
PHOTO CAPTION
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis speaks during the Long Island Airport Runway Contract Signing with Bahamas Hot Mix, on June 18, 2025 at the Office of the Prime Minister, Cable Beach. Among those present included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper; Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs the Hon. Clay Sweeting; and Permanent Secretary Dr. Anya Symonette; Director of Aviation and Deputy Director General of Tourism Dr. Kenneth Romer; Director of Works Robert Mouzas; and Managing Director at Bahamas Hot Mix Company, Ltd. Ebbi Saidi.
(BIS Photos/Eric Rose)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
