The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

ABANDONING their once signature "anchor project" plan, the PLP now proposes to develop the Family Islands through the creation of "full-circle economies" involving smaller scale tourism projects, agriculture, fisheries and mariculture.

Throughout its last term in office, the PLP pushed the concept of anchor projects - mega-hotels that would create jobs and spin-off industries - as the future of the Family Islands.

But there is no mention of this plan in the party's new "Charter for Governance". Instead, the PLP wants to provide "support and infrastructure" that will allow each island to handle every aspect of their industry of choice - from production to processing, packaging and distribution.

"This would enable residents of various Family Islands to participate in all aspects of an economy and industry, rather than just one," the document says.

It adds: "Ongoing projects in tourism, agriculture, fisheries, and mariculture will reverse the trend of residents leaving the Family Islands to find employment.

"Many residents from our Family Islands will return home to opportunities to build and develop their native island and to help cultivate our island economies."

The PLP also promised to launch a National Initiative in Resort Development, which "will help to develop a resort brand which capitalises on the natural strengths of each area of the Bahamas".

The charter states: "A PLP government will be the catalyst for and provide assistance to attract a mix of substantial tourism projects, small Bahamian-owned hotels, accommodations and attractions."

In Abaco, Bimini, the Berry Islands and Grand Bahama, the PLP will ensure policies that "maintain and advance" fishing, tourism and second home development.

"Friendly policies" will be put in place to welcome yachts and a ceiling will be placed on real property taxes to encourage the building of luxury homes, the charter said.

Fisheries processing plants and agri-business centres will be developed in Abaco and special attention will be given to the "extensive upgrading" of infrastructure and facilities in the Berry Islands.

There will also be a focus on Grand Bahama hotels with a five year, five per cent tax cut for existing hotels and a ten-year cut for new hotels.

In Cat Island, Long Island, Exuma, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Eleuthera, Andros and New Providence, resident "agriculture extension officers" and "fisheries extension officers" will be appointed, the PLP said.

They will be responsible for conducting farmer training, assisting farmers and finding markets for the farm products, the charter says.

Packing houses will see an upgrade to agribusiness centres and "wherever possible", fisheries will be extended to include mariculture - the controlled cultivation of marine resources.

An inter-island ferry will be created between Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay and the Ragged Island chain, the party said.

The Mayaguana development project will also be revived with "appropriate modifications" and the port of Inagua will be "prepared to accommodate cruise ships in order to stimulate the economy and provide touristic value."

The harvesting of cascarilla bark - used in the creation of the drink Campari - will be further developed, and the sponging industry will be revived, possibly through mariculture, the PLP said.

"The warmer waters of the southern Bahamas are rich in products that are high in demand in the world markets including sea eggs, seaweed, and sea cucumbers.

"These products, which are naturally in abundance in our waters, can be harvested to make new and lucrative industries for Bahamians that can create jobs and business opportunities," the charter says.

An agriculture extension officer will be assigned to Acklins, Crooked Island, and Mayaguana, it adds.