Category Archives: Bahamas

EDITOR, The Tribune.

For many Bahamians, we believe that the country is nearing the crossroads of destiny.

After suffering decades of failure; endless crime rates, massive brain drain and malfeasance from political corruption, this land is almost at the point of no return, and many Bahamians seek a solution to reverse the decay.

In my opinion, If I achieved the position of Prime Minister, then I would have the solution to resolve most of the issues that plague this nation.

I always talk about the effects of foreign policy, expanding into other industries locally and enforcing military security apparatuses of the Bahamas, and how both of these policies need to be drastically revamped in order to fully operate in the 21st century and these methods would appear exceptionally unpopular to many people, but it needs to be done.

The method is for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Immigration and the Department of Labour to adopt a new strategy of establishing foreign relations with countries based on what type of specific industry they can offer, their cultural influences and only accepting the very best countries within their areas of expertise. The processes of citizenship, permanent residency and work permits.

However, there are certain countries that dont offer anything of value for the long-term future of the nation and they must be cut off. Not in cutting them off diplomatically, but the government shouldnt donate money to these places in terms of public financing, but it should be done with companies and colleges between private Bahamian individuals and other foreign business establishments.

As it stands, all of the Caribbean nations offer almost nothing of value, save for the University of West Indies, and the Bahamas must find it appropriate to leave CARICOM as a member and become a permanent observer. Everything we do for the Caribbean should be on multilateral cooperation and for any disaster relief efforts.

Dealing with Mexico and Brazil is an extreme security risk in and of itself normally thanks to the prevalence and corrupting influence of Latin Americas drug cartels. Besides, most of our supermarket products we import from that region can be replaced with products being imported from significantly safer countries like Canada and the UK.

Then theres the countries tend to drag us into a Cold War situation between the US and other Socialist countries like Cuba and Venezuela, along with Washington, DC, having random trade spats with China because of the Belt and Road initiative in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Nonetheless, we get little out of this geopolitical battle because we dont try to negotiate between Beijing and Washington, DC, for fair trading practices.

The only countries that can help the Bahamas into progressing into the future is mainly found in Japan. In addition to the Japanese, the South Koreans and Singaporeans are historically skilled in education, technologically advanced in engineering and manufacturing and their societies themselves are highly stable (despite low birthrates, strict social norms and increasing suicide cases). Along with India, these three countries should be our highest priority for work permits, student visas, permanent residency and citizenship because of the benefits they offer on a long term basis.

Germanys legendary automotive manufacturing industry would also be highly valuable for many Bahamians who rely on buying their own cars to move around and buying parts to repair their vehicles, along with being the most economically advanced nation in Europe. So Germans should be the second highest priority based on their expertise in automotive engineering.

For the sake of maintaining a stable food supply, Canada must be the third highest priority to ensure that we dont leave ourselves vulnerable to unforeseen disasters and other emergencies, at least until we fully establish our local food supply to fully feed ourselves and cut the food import bill by more than 50%.

As for all other nations, the government shouldnt be using public money to bring in foreign students and workers who arent high priority, and it should be handled by private companies and colleges using their own funds while the Immigration Department only approves the permits or visas.

As for our future security concerns, the Latin American Drug Cartels operating in the Caribbean, weak local food security and poachers remains one of the most serious risks posed on the Bahamas. My next move is to create a massive 350 million dollar security initiative similar to what happened after 9/11, along with stronger cooperation with other foreign military forces to help finance this initiative.

Enhancing the RBPF, Customs and the Defense Force will be the primary objective of equipping these organizations to effectively enforce the law, and to create recruitment drives and boost the salaries of police officers, Customs officials and naval personnel. For the size of the Bahamas territorial waters, we need 14,000 police officers and marines with enhanced training in addition to more patrol boats, two larger naval vessels, helicopters, drones and further logistical support to fully secure our national interests.

Illegal trafficking of synthetic drugs, foreign built firearms and human smuggling should carry the highest criminal offences outside of rape and murder, with illegal arms trafficking having a minimum 25 year prison sentence. The other should be 12 years minimum for drug smuggling and human trafficking being 21 years minimum.

All travellers from Latin America and the Caribbean would be subjected to additional security screening and vetting as the primary line of defense against potential cartel smugglers and other threats. Mandatory searches of both airline and private jets in airports, cargo ships in ports and yachts in marinas are all required before disembarking. The intelligence apparatus would be developed to covertly work with the authorities so that most smuggling attempts would be foiled and any traces of corruption within the ranks should be suppressed and removed.

The Bahamian fishers should help mark fishing grounds so that the Defense Force can properly guard them against poachers from the Dominican Republic and neighbouring countries south of Inagua, in addition to better enforcement against migrants.

Although the stability within the US and Europe is unpredictable and chaotic at times, theyre still important for military technology and security cooperation. For that reason, I would establish deeper cooperation with NATO and the US Military to supply the Ministry of National Security with the latest technological hardware and equipment, along with military training to conduct operations and further strengthen our nation against outside threats from Latin America.

I may understand that this is highly unpopular, even a controversial opinion that I would have taken a pro-Japanese stance on foreign policy and economic agreements; isolating ourselves from the Caribbean and Latin America, allowing only a small percentage of select foreigners on getting citizenship and permanent residency and placing specific security screenings on certain travellers. But during the times of COVID and significant instability with our nearby countries, we cannot afford anymore bad economic deals and wasted opportunities anymore. Although many of my suggestions wouldnt work in real life, people should still need to consider the effects of our poor foreign and economic policies and how to reverse the damage so that there can still be a nation for your children to return to.

AMMAKA RUSSELL

Nassau,

June 20 2021.

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Controversial way to save The Bahamas - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas has extended an invitation for interested parties to attend an industry forum concerning private operator/developer concessions and related opportunities in connection with the Bahamas Airports PPP Program.

Airport operators, service providers, lenders, construction companies and facility managers are among those likely to be interested in attending a virtual industry informative presentation about the proposed airport PPP program. This briefing, hosted by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, will be held on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 11am (EST) via Microsoft Teams.

Officials from the Commonwealth of The Bahamas will introduce the PPP program and present opportunities available to the industry in the context of future transformation, operations and management of an airport portfolio, which includes the following airports:

LeighFisher, the governments transaction advisor, will present an overview of the proposed opportunities, partnership structure and the expected timelines for procurement.

Airport proponent being sought to transform and operate airport portfolio

The government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas wishes to focus on sustainable and resilient long-term solutions to rebuilding its airport infrastructure throughout the Family Islands of The Bahamas and is seeking experienced, qualified private partners to update, operate and improve the portfolio of airports to drive traffic and revenue growth and further enhance quality of service. Under this PPP program, airport facilities are not being sold; the government and communities of The Bahamas will retain ownership of the airports and a private partner will be granted a concession and lease to update, operate and maintain the airports for up to 30 years.

Tendering to be conducted in 2021

The procurement process to find the most qualified airport partner(s) will take place this year through an open, transparent and competitive tendering process. The selection of a private partner(s) by the government will be based on the outcome of an evaluation of submissions assessed against pre-established criteria. The tender is likely to be awarded by quarter one of 2022, with operations handed over thereafter.

Department of Aviation Director Algernon Cargill stated: This is an exciting process for the Department of Aviation to be leading the PPP process for the government of The Bahamas.

After several months of planning, we are unveiling in this market briefing information about the PPP process that will be included in a market leading request for proposal.

Over the past several months, we have received a considerable amount of interest from local and international investors about our airport program and we encourage all interested stakeholders to attend the market briefing and to follow up afterwards with any questions that may not have been answered during the presentation.

Registration is required for attendance at the conference. Those interested are asked to email P3airports@bahamas.com for more information and to register for the event.

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Industry forum to be held on Bahamas Airports PPP Program - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS As countries heighten their response and shore up vaccination campaigns as the Delta variant of the coronavirus spreads rapidly, Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) Medical Microbiologist Dr Jessica Edwards suggested aggressive strategies must be maintained in The Bahamas to reduce spread.

We do know that from the data we have thus far in-country, we have evidence that there are variants or that we havestudies that support, through screening, evidence that there are variants in-country, she told Eyewitness News.

I think that has been communicated by the CMO (chief medical officer) a little while ago that we do have variants however, specific variants, I am not aware of any that we have in-country, the specific ones.

The likelihood is that we do have them and it is possible that the Delta variant is amongst that grouping of variants, but we dont have confirmation as yet.

Samples have been sent abroad to the Caribbean Public Health Agency laboratory in Trinidad to confirm variant strains in-country.

But when asked when The Bahamas could get its test results to determine which variants exist in-country a key indicator for what policies may be necessary Edwards said she was unable to confirm when the report could be completed.

There are concerns the Delta variant could become the dominant strain across the globe.

It has spread rapidly in the United States and accounts for 10 percent of its cases.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said this week the risk to the US is the virus could spike a new epidemic heading into the fall.

In the United Kingdom, over 75,000 cases of Delta were sequenced up to June 16, up from just over 42,000 the previous week a near doubling.

Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme Dr Nikkiah Forbes told Eyewitness News last week there is a high chance the Delta strain of the coronavirus could impact The Bahamas, which has continued to welcome visitors and whose long-standing key markets include the US and Europe.

Asked whether the public is taking the threat of the Delta variant seriously in The Bahamas, Edwards said: Obviously, we need to maintain and have a very high level of prevention and taking preventative measures to reduce the spread of any strain of the virus in-country.

And I would say that there is always a constant threat that infection can continue without the necessary precautions and mitigation strategies that have been recommended.

So, as it stands now, the positive cases continue and we need to maintain that level of aggressive strategies to reduce the spread.

We know there are persons who are actively taking specific steps, including vaccinations, to reduce the spread. That is critical because in order for us to be able to overcome these hurdles, that is one important strategy that has to be met and maintained.

Edwards said the vaccination program is moving forward, but a lot more must be done to get the majority of the population vaccinated.

The Delta variant has proven more contagious than other variants to date.

However, the AstraZeneca vaccine, when the full schedule is followed, is 92 percent effective against hospitalization due to the Delta variant.

AstraZeneca remains the only available vaccine in The Bahamas.

Vaccination remains voluntary, though more of the private sector has incentivized taking the vaccine.

Approximately 72,000 people have been vaccinated in The Bahamas around 18 percent of the population.

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CONSTANT THREAT: Microbiologist notes Delta COVID strain could already be impacting The Bahamas - EyeWitness News

Regina Whylly, Producer of Groundbreaking New Show For Women, Launches in the United States on the ZTV Network.

Nassau, Bahamas June 22, 2021 Regina Whylly, CEO of The Whole Woman Network and producer of The Whole Woman Show, is on a mission to improve womens lives. She has been passionate about the wellness world for a long time and has created her show, The Whole Woman Show, to help empower women emotionally, mentally, physically, and financially. With each episode, she interviews some of the most talented, beautiful, and gifted people in the country. Whylly has signed a contract to bring her Bahama show to the Dallas-based Zondra TV Network. Shortly after the launch of The Whole Woman, Whylly plans to launch another in-house production and, from there on out, launching a new show every three months. Once the platform is launched, we will open the platform to other producers here in the Bahamas as well as around the entire Caribbean, added Whylly.

This is an exciting time for the team here at The Whole Woman Network, we are pleased to begin this new leg of our journey, and we would like to invite you to come along with us each week as we post the latest shows.

There will be days when we will laugh out loud, there will be days when we will cry just as hard, but please know that our objective is always to make you glad that you stopped by to join us, said Whylly.

Thewholewoman.tv is a subsidiary of The Whole Woman Network. It is a platform that is transformative, informative, relevant, useful information that can be applied by the women that visit their website. Topics include self-care, beauty, spirituality, and finances to name a few.

Whylly is giving away an interview on The Whole Woman Show to 3 lucky winners. For more information, visit her online at https://thewholewoman.tv.

Zondra TV Network is extremely proud of how we continue to make some key strategic alliances with Producers throughout the United States and now we are extending our brand to The Bahamas, says Evans. We have been blessed beyond measure to have won many awards and to develop The TV/Media Incubator where we are helping small business entrepreneurs pivot into becoming a TV Producer and how to effectively monetize their content. Attend Why Streaming Matters held on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00 pm CST https://bit.ly/ZTVStream.

About Regina Whylly

While Regina Whylly is an accomplished producer and tv host, she also is a journalist by profession writing for the leading newspaper in the Bahamas, The Tribune, where she resides. Additionally, Whylly hosts the popular radio show, The Whole Woman. Regina is also a mentor to young girls, Host of The Whole Woman Conference (Nassau, Bahamas).

Media ContactCompany Name: Coach ZondraContact Person: Zondra EvansEmail: Send EmailPhone: 469-712-7168Country: United StatesWebsite: http://zondraevans.com

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Zondra TV Expands Network to Nassau, Bahamas with Producer of The Whole Woman Show - Digital Journal

Bahamas Government invites interested parties to attend airports PPP information event | CAPA

Bahamas' Government invited (22-Jun-2021) interested parties to attend a virtual event concerning the 'Bahamas Airports' public private partnership (PPP) programme on 28-Jun-2021. The government is seeking partners to update, operate and maintain the following airports for up to 30 years:

The procurement process will take place through 2021, with tenders likely to be awarded in 1Q2022. The government will retain ownership of the airports. Airport facilities are not being sold. [more - original PR]

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Bahamas Government invites interested parties to attend airports PPP information event | CAPA - CAPA - Centre for Aviation

NASSAU, BAHAMAS An exciting opportunity is being extended to 20 aspiring Bahamian youth with a special focus on activism. The Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) is accepting applicants for its Me, You, Us Youth Saloon to engage youth in community development and active citizenship.

The initiative is open to activists and changemakers between 16 and 24 and will engage them in a unique opportunity to address gender-based violence in The Bahamas. Those interested in applying for the program can register at http://www.orgbahamas.com/org_education_programs. The deadline to apply for the program is Wednesday, June 23, 2021.

This program focuses on youth voice amplification and sees them as stakeholders and agents of their own development, said Tiffany A Bain, ORGs education lead. Our aim is to empower youth as changemakers today to become the policymakers of tomorrow.

ORGs Me, You, Us Youth Saloon will allow its participants to learn more about gender-based violence and its impact through workshops with ORGs partners, which will give them an opportunity to design interventions to impact their communities.

This program is preparing our youth for success by supporting their social and emotional growth. These skills are critical for leadership and effective communication. The engagement and development of well-rounded young persons in this country is essential to our sustainability, stated Matthew Aubry, ORG executive director.

The initiative will train and support the youth participants to design and implement four programs aimed at reducing gender-based violence in the country and will include:

ORG will collaborate with a range of local organizations, stakeholders and community leaders with experience and expertise in the areas of youth development and gender affairs. These partners will serve as mentors, lead training workshops and provide guidance as participants develop their programs.

We want to ensure the youth participants have a comprehensive learning experience, expressed Aubry. One of our goals is to demonstrate the power of public-private partnerships in community and national development. It is vital that we show our youth that partnership is a pathway to success as a country.

To learn more about the Me, You, Us Youth Saloon, visit ORGs Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ORGBahFoundation.

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ORG Bahamas Foundation launches youth activist initiative Eye Witness News - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Attorney General Carl Bethel advised yesterday that the government intends to go to the Privy Council to appeal a Court of Appeal ruling that children born out of wedlock to foreign women and Bahamian men are entitled to citizenship at birth.

The government had sought to appeal the ruling handed down by Supreme Court Justice Ian Winder last May, in the publics interest.

The appellate ruling dismissed the governments appeal and awarded costs to the respondents.

Bethel told reporters ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday morning that the matter would have ended in the highest court the Privy Council no matter which side won the appeal.

Im sure that the Bahamian people will not accept any judgment on a matter that doesnt come from the highest court in the land, which is the Privy Council, he said.

So, it is the governments intention to appeal the matter.

The controversial rulingdealt with separate applications for declarations over the true interpretation of Article 6 of the Constitution, which deems that every person born in The Bahamas after 9th July, 1973 shall become a citizen of The Bahamas at the date of his birth if at that date either of his parents is a citizen of The Bahamas.

All five judges of the Court of Appeal sat in on the hearing and gave written judgments on the matter, with three agreeing with Winders ruling and twooffered dissenting views.

The matter of passing on citizenship continues to be a longstanding hot-button issue throughout the countrys history.

Bethel noted that not only is the ruling a question of the Constitutions original intent but also the national intent, given that there were two referenda on this issue.

Both referendums in 2002 and 2014 to address gender-based discrimination in the Constitution failed.

We will advance the same positions that we have advanced to date in the Privy Council that the existing Constitution, as originally written, as originally supported by the Bahamian people on two occasions, ought to prevail, Bethel said.

Asked what would happen if the government also loses the appeal at the Privy Council, he said: That would be the law of the land as interpreted by the highest court in the land and we will all be bound to follow it.

Whatever adjustments would have to be made to domestic law would have to be made in order to accommodate the views, if that is their view.

If not, there would be no changes. But it is a matter for the highest court of the land at this point.

A bill has been drafted by the Law Reform Commission, headed by Dame Anita Allen, that would repeal the Bahamas Nationality Act and the Immigration Act.

The proposed legislation puts forth sweeping changes to the countrys immigration laws by seeking to address long-standing issues surrounding statelessness and the right to pass on citizenship.

Minister of Immigration Elsworth Johnson said he will wait until he receives further advice from the attorney general on the matter.

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TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL WE GO: Govt to appeal historic citizenship ruling - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS There has been a 58 percent increase in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) between 2017 and 2020, the Ministry of Finance has reported, as nearly 14,000 SMEs have been launched.

Minister of State for Finance Kwasi Thompson said: Since coming to office, we have dedicated an unprecedented amount of resources to support the start-up and expansion of SMEs. We are prioritizing private-sector development because we understand SMEs are crucial for sustainable economic growth.

He added: The Bahamian entrepreneurial spirit has always been a backbone for our countrys economy, but for the first time, the government has recognized this by targeting millions of dollars in investment to ensure that spirit continues to flourish and lift up our economy.

As of September 2020, the Access Accelerator Small Business Development Center (SBDC) had approved nearly $60.5 million in funding for SMEs to support the visions of new and existing Bahamian entrepreneurs. This funding was largely allocated as part of the Resilient Bahamas budget plan for fiscal year 2020-2021, which focused in part on keeping small businesses afloat.

Support for SMEdevelopment will continue through a number of initiatives within the Accelerated Bahamas Recovery Plan for fiscal year 2021-2022. Over the next five years, the government has committed to $250 million in financing for the SBDC, with the first injection of $35 million being allocated in the 2021-2022 budget.

We are not only relying on direct financing. Our budget is leveraging the use of tax concessions to promote the continued development of the private sector, said Thompson.

Were providing incentives to expand your business operations through duty-free imports of first stock inventory and other products necessary to a small business development.

Specifically in our southern Family Islands, weve created tax-free zones to encourage economic growth by way of concessions on materials needed for residential and commercial development and tax breaks on business license fees.

The government also plans to expand financing options for SMEs with new crowdfunding regulations that allow small businesses access to mechanisms that were previously limited to larger organizations. Under these new regulations, small businesses will soon be able to raise up to $5 million in capital.

As SMEs continue to launch or expand, the government is capitalizing on this growth to tackle unemployment. The Government Employee Incentive Program will incentivize hiring as the private-sector economy continues to rebound. Through the program, businesses can apply for tax credits of up to $400 per week to fund the payrolls of up to 10 new employees. The government expects to see 2,500 new jobs created from this initiative.

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ENTREPRENEUR BOOM: Bahamas sees near 60 percent increase in SMEs between 2017 and 2020 - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) yesterday warned that romance scams designed to pull at the heartstrings of unsuspecting victims, particularly retired and mature women, have given authorities some cause for concern.

Fraudsters are contacting persons, usually retired/mature or vulnerable females, under the guise of friendship and companionship, police said.

The fraudsters fabricate a relationship by building trust over time through constant communication, romantic intention and encouragement, usually portraying themselves to be wealthy businessmen or vulnerable widowers.

Romance scam/fraud is a social engineering tactic which entails the engineering of a friendship or relationship for fraudulent or financial gain.

Once a level of trust and comfort is achieved, the fraudsters promise to marry the victims and/or enter into business opportunities with them.

Police said with trust earned from their target, scammers begin to request personal information such as government identification or bank account information, with the promise of instant wealth, gifts, marriage or lucrative business opportunities.

The public is reminded of the dangers in sending your government identification and personal information, inclusive of banking information, online or through social media platforms to individuals that youve never met, police said.

Doing so exposes you to potentially becoming victims of fraud, theft, stolen identity and sometimes, in extreme cases, physical harm.

Additionally, police warned that victims of romance scams can also run the risk of being culpable in facilitating money laundering offenses.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force advises members of the public to be vigilant and cautious with persons that they communicate with online and on social media, the organization said.

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GUARD YOUR HEARTAND YOUR WALLET: RBPF warns of romance scams - EyeWitness News

Business license turnaround time to be lowered; crowdfunding options introducedThompson: This initiative will launch Bahamas ahead in World Bank ease of doing business rankings

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The government is looking at ways to further streamline the process of opening a business, according to State Finance Minister Senator Kwasi Thompson, as it expands the provisional licensing framework.

Thompson, while making a contribution in the Senate yesterday on the 2021/2022 budget, said: We are going a step further to shore up this private sector support by expanding the provisional licensing framework.

This framework allows low-risk-rated businesses to apply for and receive a temporary business license to operate while the requisite approvals are obtained from the relevant government agencies, such as the Ministry of Works and the Department of Physical Planning.

The turnaround time for obtaining a business license has been reduced. What was once a potential hindrance to becoming a part of the formal economy has now been removed. We are certain that this expanding initiative will continue to launch us ahead in the ease of doing business rankings from the World Bank.

This is just another step in tearing down the barriers to Bahamian ownership and, ultimately, economic growth.

Thompson went on to note that the government has committed to allocating $250 million in financing over the next five years, with $30 million for small business support this upcoming fiscal year, and is also reinforcing the work of the Bahamas Development Bank with an additional $4 million funding per year for a two-year period.

According to Thompson, new crowdfunding rules will soon be released that will allow MSMEs to tap into a larger pool of financing.

This type of financing vehicle would also provide another option for Bahamian entrepreneurs to obtain capital via a diverse pool of investors said Thompson.

Additionally, it also provides Bahamians an opportunity to diversify its investment portfolio by obtaining ownership in these SMEs. Bahamians can now invest in small startup businesses that would otherwise be unable to access financing through the traditional commercial banking route.

Primarily, these new crowdfunding rules allow for entrepreneurs and small businesses to use technology and digital platforms to raise necessary funds up to $3 million from the general investor public to start or expand their business.

This gives the entrepreneur a powerful new channel to get capital. At the same time, it provides greater opportunities for interested Bahamians to invest in and benefit from interesting and innovative business opportunities, which they otherwise would not be able to invest in.

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MAKE IT EASIER: Thompson says govt looking to streamline process of opening a business - EyeWitness News