The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FORMER PLP MP Philip Galanis yesterday echoed the Official Opposition’s criticism of the “drip drip” pace of details concerning the remobilisation and future sale of Baha Mar, and added to growing concerns over the apparent rise in Chinese influence.

Mr Galanis said yesterday that the government’s failure to address the “real concern expressed by many” in a clear and systematic way, had long become a non-partisan issue.

“It requires bold, clear, concise, leadership,” Mr Galanis said, “to articulate exactly what is going on and the impact in the long term, and that has not been done.”

He continued: “Explaining who the respective investors are, the time frame for approval, what concessions are being granted; any reasonable person should ask for that, I think if you’re an intelligent Bahamian, you have a right to know.”

Hong Kong-based company Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (CTFE) revealed in a press release on Thursday that it “has entered into negotiations in connection with the ownership of Baha Mar.”

On Friday, Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis charged that the disclosure of the company negotiating with the government to acquire Baha Mar is too bare on details to satisfy the public’s right to information on the matter.

Yesterday, Mr Galanis said: “I think a lot more information is needed on who these people are. I don’t think this information should come out in drips and drabs. A complete statement should be made over what are their strengths, what are they going to do.”

“It’s a real concern expressed by many that the Chinese are having too great an influence. It’s a legitimate question.”

Mr Galanis said: “I’m not at all a xenophobe but I want to make certain that we don’t have too much control by any single foreign country. The [country] investment profile should be as varied as possible but we see what seems to be a skewed and disproportionate attention paid to the Chinese.”

In a general response to concerns over Chinese state-backed investment, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said: “I think it’s the timing. Here’s the reality, our relationship with China began in the ‘90s with Hutcheson Whampoa, when we ended our relationship with Taiwan. We’ve been in there for a while, and China’s economy continues to grow.”

Mr Wilchcombe continued: “We have one of the richest men in Great Britain as an investor in the Bahamas at Albany. Top Caribbean brands (at) Sandals and Breezes - that is good for our country, we have been able to attract investments.

“China just happens to be one of the strongest economies in the world right now, and are aggressive at investing their money throughout the world. I think in this context, the Bahamas should be looking at ourselves differently, it speaks to the quality of the product.”

The Supreme Court documents related to the deal between the Export-Import Bank of China and the government regarding Baha Mar to remobilise construction at the West Bay Street property have been sealed. The decision drew ire from some, like outspoken QC Fred Smith, who challenged that the government should have first placed a draft of the Baha Mar agreement before Parliament, so that the legislative branch of government could scrutinise it and give its approval, before signing it.

Mr Smith argued that only Parliament, and not the government, had the power to grant land and tax incentives to developments such as Baha Mar.

Mr Wilchcombe yesterday, said: “You have a legal proceeding that dictated the course of action. There were discussions outside of the government’s involvement. We are as best as we can, respecting the decision of the courts but at the same time whatever information we have, we screen and investigate to look into whether we can share it with the Bahamian people.”

He said: “I think at the appropriate time, upon the government agreeing on the company’s involvement in the Bahamas and the necessary approvals, there will be more.”