By KHASHAN POITIER
Guardian Staff Reporter
Prime Minister Perry Christie announced Wednesday that active negotiations with European investors might result in a $1 billion project for the Cable Beach area.
Upon his return from a 10-day trip to Great Britain, North America and Abuja, Nigeria, where he attended the 2003 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Mr. Christie revealed little details about the project to the press at Nassau International Airport's V.I.P. Lounge.
He did, however, call it an "incredible opportunity (for The Bahamas) to become the example of the region to follow."
During his London visit with Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr. Christie also met with executives from "significant investment companies." Those negotiations will continue until this weekend to a "hopeful" arrangement, Mr. Christie said.
"And, because it involves assets not owned by The Bahamas Government, and therefore involved with other persons, I would just wish to indicate that we are in progress in such discussions," he added.
While in London, Mr. Christie also toured a £1 billion investment project established by the mentioned European investors. This, he said, gives the group "considerable" credibility to their proposals for The Bahamas and its tourism sector.
In comparison to Caribbean countries like Jamaica, which has a population of 2.6 million, and Trinidad and Tobago's 1.3 million populace, The Bahamas' estimated 350, 000 population "could blow this wide open."
Mr. Christie further revealed that an "incredible state of investments" are on tap for the entire hotel sector in New Providence, West End and Freeport, Grand Bahama; Crooked Island, Abaco, Exuma and Rum Cay.
He asked the press, "Do you understand that that is unprecedented, almost beyond the imagination?"
The only challenge blocking the success of these investments is convincing Bahamians to travel to these islands and maximise on their discovered "new wealth," said Mr. Christie.
"I smile as we wait for these things to happen, but they will, and 2004 is beckoning," he added. "The Bahamas is in good hands and will be in good shape."
While in Miami, Florida, where Mr. Christie met with Governor Jeb Bush, Costa Rica President Abel Pacheco and Guatemala President Alfonso Portillo, he also met with officials from the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.
He noted that the cruise ship operators brings nearly one million tourist to the country than any other and have a $20 million investment in Coco Cay, Berry Islands, which they own.
Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines are presently discussing with Mr. Christie ways they can assist the Bay Street redevelopment commission, headed by Norman Solomon and George Mackey, to revitalise the area and make it more accessible to cruise ship passengers.
Caption: ANNOUNCEMENT - Prime Minister Perry Christie announces investments to the tune of $1 billion dollars on tap for Cable Beach. (Staff photo by Donald Knowles)
Posted: Friday December 12, 2003
