The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday formally signed a memorandum of understanding on an air services agreement between the People’s Republic of China and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

Mrs Hanna Martin labelled the signing an historic day in Bahamian history, stating that the agreement signals stronger relations between the two country’s air traffic industries and ultimately, an improved Bahamian economy.

The MOU provides the legal framework to help air traffic services between the Bahamas and China.

“This year, it is estimated that China will have approximately 140 million persons travelling as tourists outside of China to other countries,” she said.

“If the Bahamas got just a small, tiny fraction of that (number) it would be an incredibly significant impact to the marketplace. China has the largest population in the world and one of the largest economies in the world. That puts into perspective the significance of what is happening today.”

During a January communication in the House of Assembly, Mrs Hanna Martin indicated that the two countries had entered into discussions for securing air services between the Bahamas and China.

She said that yesterday’s agreement came as a result of those talks.

China’s Transport Minister Yang Chuantang said the MOU would set up a strong “air-bridge” between the two countries.

He suggested that the signing would further expand the investments from China to the Bahamas and increase “tourism exchanges and people to people exchanges.”

“Today, the MOU will lay the important foundation for the air links and for the ever-increasing aviation relations between our two countries. This is particularly important because it is the result of the personal push of Prime Minister Christie and the leaders of China.

“We believe that it is high-time and the right time that we have air links between China and the Bahamas. It is very important that we have air services between our countries.”

Prime Minister Christie, who was present for the signing, stated that after taking notice of a recent Cuba-China air services agreement and reports of increase in flights between China and America, his administration determined that the Bahamas had to step forward as a potential destination for the more than 140 million Chinese tourists travelling outside of China.

Mr Christie said: “We were well aware of the absolutely massive number of Chinese people who travel abroad as tourists and we knew that a major investment was taking place in the Bahamas. We thought it so important that we found the right formula to cause aircraft to fly from China to the Bahamas.

“This is a wonderful day for us. We believe that this foreshadows what will take place in the future. The future looks bright when it comes down to closer relations between China and the Bahamas – particularly in regards to (the) Chinese tourist.”

The China Advisory Council’s (CAC) delegation, headed by the China’s transport minister and China Airways General Manager Cai Jianjiang arrived in the Bahamas yesterday.

The group was given a tour of the Bahamas’ new “state-of-the-art” Air Traffic Services Centre on Wednesday, ensuring that the Bahamas was fully capable of receiving air services from international destinations like China.

Following the tour Mrs Hanna Martin said that the CAC delegation signified that the Bahamas’ air service industry is progressing in the right direction.

China already has strong links in this country. The Export-Import Bank of China is the main construction financier of Baha Mar, the mega-resort in Cable Beach. China Construction America is the main contractor for the $3.5 billion development.