The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmcknzie@tribunemedia.net

A well-known businessman and aviation executive says the 2015/2016 mid-year Budget has given him little encouragement to invest further, reiterating calls for a strategic plan to develop the Out Islands.

“This Budget does not give me any encouragement as a businessman involved with aviation,” Captain Randy Butler, Sky Bahamas’ president and chief executive, told Tribune Business.

“I also own a hotel in Andros as well as a restaurant and pharmacy. I continue to be disappointed because it shows, in my view and estimation, when we look at the development of the Bahamas as a whole, we’re always advertising 2 per cent of The Bahamas which is Nassau/Paradise Island.”

Captain Butler added: “We have all of these Family Islands, and especially in these times where some of them are devastated, there is no strategic plan for their development because I don’t hear it from the leader, giving the plan which includes our key sector, tourism. We’re watching and waiting for Baha Mar but what about some of the other islands?”

“We’re constantly giving out concessions, as they say, to help drive foreign direct investment here. They’re giving concessions out but my question is what the net effect is.

“This destination should be drawing people to it and people should want to come. There is no direct flight to an island like Long Island or Andros, for instance. How are these other islands expected to develop?’