The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCKTribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said government officials are in discussions with the operators of Grand Celebration Cruise ship for the possibility of a second ship to bring service to the island, which is expected to begin on April 1.

During a media briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister in Freeport on Friday, Dr Minnis said he held a "productive meeting" with the Grand Bahama Port Authority and met with the principals of the Bahamas Paradise Cruise, the operators of Grand Celebration Cruise ship.

He said they also spoke about the resumption of cruise ferry service in December by the Grand Celebration, which has temporarily ceased cruises to the island.

The ship is headed for the US Virgin Islands to assist with recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irma, and will not resume its two-night excursion from Palm Beach to Grand Bahama until December 23. Some on Grand Bahama have called it a "big blow" to the economy.

"We understand the circumstances of the Bahamas Celebration assisting the US government in hurricane relief efforts. It was a priority under the circumstances," said Dr Minnis.

In addition to meeting with a number of businesses and potential investment partners in Freeport, the prime minister also went to Port Lucaya Marketplace to show his support for Grand Bahama.

"I hope that others will show just as much interest as I do in Grand Bahama because Grand Bahama cannot grow only through the confines of Grand Bahamians; it's all one Bahamas," he said.

He also announced that a honey production business is set to come on stream on October 26, as part of the launch of the first in a series of the government's entrepreneurship programme. The apiary he said guarantees 30 young people the opportunity to start their own business.

Dr Minnis indicated that his government is committed to working with the GBPA to eliminate all roadblocks to investment.

"We are dedicated to streamlining our investment process with the first step being the creation of an Investment Unit in Grand Bahama," he said.

He noted that the government expects to review its immigration, customs, and exchange control policies with a view to make it easier to invest and do business in Grand Bahama.

On the matter of Grand Lucayan Resort, the prime minister did not provide anything new concerning the sale of the property.

However, he assured Grand Bahamians that his government is focused on the redevelopment of the hotel strip.

"We recognise the urgency of this matter and my colleagues, and I are working diligently to complete the best deal. Grand Bahama requires more than just the reopening of the hotel strip. We must revive our entire tourism product," he said.

Dr Minnis added: "Our discussion with the owner and potential partners are with a view to transforming the property into the first step of an innovative and unique destination for Grand Bahama."

He added that government is committed to ensuring that the existing jobs on the strip remain.

"We will continue our aggressive discussions until we can unveil our plan for a new tourism product and a new destination.

"We remain committed and on track to conclude discussions with potential partners, and we are working towards this end," he stated.

The prime minister also indicated that plans are also moving forward for the creation of a Grand Bahama Investment Promotion Board, which will be responsible for marketing Grand Bahama as a destination ready to do business.

"This board will send the message to the world," he said.

Dr Minnis also announced plans to open temporary offices in the Family Islands, including Exuma, Eleuthera, and Central Andros to begin monthly visits there.

Dr Minnis, who was in Grand Bahama on Friday for his monthly visit, pledged to become "intimately involved" in those island communities as well.