The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A TOP private sector executive believes Eleuthera has seen “an infusion” of new businesses, particularly in the central part of the island, telling Tribune Business its economy was “really starting to see signs of growth”.

Eentrepreneur Thomas Sands, who also serves as president of the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce, said: “We have seen the infusion, especially in the Central Eleuthera area, of more business.

“We’re also seeing persons moving from Nassau and investing in the area, taking advantage of new opportunities. It’s probably minimal as a percentage, but it’s not a negative.We have moved from the point where we were decreasing in numbers and opportunities to a point where we are just past the break even point.”

Mr Sands added: “The Eleuthera economy is really starting to see signs of growth. The last five-six years since the downturn in the economy has been very challenging. It’s only in recent times that we have begun to see positive signs of some growth.

“A lot of it has been centred in Central Eleuthera in the Governor’s Harbour and Palmetto Point area, with vacation rentals and so forth that havehelped to generate traffic. South Eleuthera still remains challenged, and hopefully that will also begin to see increases in the years to come.”

With numerous resort developments taking place on the island, Mr Sands acknowledged that supplying the required workforce would be a challenge.

“It is definitely a challenge and a reality for the entire Bahamas, which is why I believe we should start with the youngest and train now, get them focused on work, achievement and aspirations for growth and beyond just employment inside the hotel, looking for where the opportunities are for new businesses. It is a process and reality we face. The reality is that we will always need a certain percentage of imported labour,” Mr Sands said.