Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort and Offshore Island pulled out all the stops in reopening its property on the Cable Beach strip last Friday night following a two-month closure for $4 million of remedial work.

Hundreds received the red-carpet treatment for which Sandals is renowned – complimentary valet parking, dozens of butlers queuing up just outside the all-inclusive resort to deliver a personal welcome, and the resort’s photographers snapping pictures of guests complete, with a junkanoo group in the background.

Topping the list of local and foreign dignitaries in attendance were Prime Minister Perry Christie, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, former Jamaican Prime Minister P J Patterson, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis and Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchombe, among other Cabinet ministers and senior government officials.

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French Blue airline has begun direct flights from Paris to San Salvador. Watch a report about the inaugural flight here.
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Less than 10 years ago, The Bahamas was a virtually forgotten player in the external insurance marketplace, according to Tanya McCartney and Michele Fields. But today, the jurisdiction has a reputation as a market leader.

When The Bahamas became a destination for capital investment, it was based on the needs of winter residents escaping colder northern climates. Since that time, the depth and expertise of the country’s financial services has created an industry that is no longer just a destination for capital, but a place for real and substantive businesses. Indeed, it became a location from which one can invest and manage one’s businesses all around the world.

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NewCo2015 Limited, The Bahamas’ second mobile telephony provider, has announced that it will operate under the brand Aliv when it launches its services on 23 November. “Bahamians are ready for another choice on the market and expect a superior offering from day one and rightly so,” said NewCo vice president of sales and market Johnny Ingle at the launch, according to the Nassau Guardian. The operator is set to offer a range of packages, including unlimited data and voice plans, with some offers also coming with free calls to the US and Canada.

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The Central Bank of The Bahamas is embarking on another phase in development of Exchange Control Liberalisation proposals, with specific objectives for further, targeted relaxation of capital account transactions. The Bank is exploring frameworks for Bahamian-owned businesses to attract non-Bahamian dollar denominated direct financing.

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Financial services industry leaders met this week to discuss how to improve business in The Bahamas, boost the country’s competitiveness and encourage entrepreneurs.

During a panel discussion at the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA)’s annual Accountant’s Week, CEO of the Bahamas Financial Services Board Tanya McCartney said business needs to be more streamlined in the country and linked ease of doing business with The Bahamas’ ability to compete within the region and globally.

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The largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas, made its inaugural trip to Nassau at the weekend.
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The Ministry of Tourism’s Weddings and Romance Department is hosting 16 couples for the 16-16-16 Island Wedding Promotion Canada Edition this week.
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