The Tribune

By JOHN ISSA

VIEW from Afar took a break during the recent elections. This was because, as a long time resident but not a citizen of The Bahamas, I did not want any opinions put forward to be interpreted as being politically partisan.

View from Afar has been published since the mid-nineties so has commented on matters to do with the economy and society through a number of regime changes.

So now that the elections are behind us I want to highlight a few objectives that I have consistently considered of long-term importance to the welfare of Bahamians. These following objectives are not necessarily in the order of importance.

The redevelopment of East Bay Street and the entire downtown waterfront area is long overdue. It is in the interest of all property owners, one of which is the Government, to meet urgently to agree the criteria for new construction to take place. These, I assume, would include building heights, setbacks, parking needs, open spaces, mixed use requirements and such others as are needed. Incentives could be offered to those who break ground quickly, say within 18 months.

Downtown Nassau is a shadow of what it was when I first saw it over 40 years ago. We must return it to being a magnet for visitors and Bahamians alike, a major contributor to the economy and thus the people of The Bahamas.

Another urgent matter is the removal of obstacles to Bahamians going into business. The gauntlet and hurdles which one has to navigate and surmount discourage young Bahamians from entering the business community. This is wrong. It is not only a matter of injustice but it is bad economics.

And lastly I need to repeat my call for the removal of exchange controls. Simply, exchange controls keeps money out of The Bahamas, not in. Any Bahamian who wants US dollars gets them legally or illegally. However if a Bahamian has US dollars overseas he or she is unlikely to bring them home.

If these three challenges can be overcome, we will see a boom like never before.

• John Issa is executive chairman of SuperClubs. He is writing regularly in The Tribune.