The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

BUSINESSES in the Family Islands need to be incentivised and allowed to access multiple concessions says Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce president Thomas Sands who told Tribune Business that there was a sense of optimism about the island’s economic outlook.

“Towards the end of the winter season during the Easter kind of period you did see slight increase in some traffic. I think you would have found that Harbour Island would have been the strongest, Central Eleuthera would have had some traffic and south Eleuthera would have been worse off in terms of the overall economy because there is not much going on there. Generally I think people are optimistic that something may come on stream. There is some sense of optimism looking to the future.”

Mr Sands said there were reportedly two or three developments moving forward on the island such as the Cove resort in North Eleuthera which is set to reopen in November, while there were a few other developments being discussed.

He said day-to-day business was still very tough for local businessmen.

“On a day-to-day basis business is very tough. It’s very tough because the volume has been so low. I think that has generally hurt the average business operator and so that, inclusive of the cost the operation has had a dramatic impact on businesses,” said Sands.

“I am one of those who lobby for strong support of businesses especially in the family islands where you have less traffic and the cost of operation is greater because there is additional transportation costs and fuel costs. I think businesses in the family islands need to be incentivised and allowed access to multiple concessions so that they can rebuild their businesses, upgrade and modernise so they can have greater efficiencies in their equipment. This will not only help to reduce energy costs but also help to raise the standard because they are able to go after better technology. That will help the investor who comes in to see the community as a viable option in catering to the client base that they are seeking to go after. Providing concessions and incentives will help those who have survived to grow, those who haven’t to rebuild and others to see the potential to invest in the family islands,” said Sands.