NASSAU, The Bahamas, Feb. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The pristine beaches of The Bahamas attracted more than your average share of visitors in 2012. In December, The Exumas served as one of the key locations for the highly anticipated Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2013, which hit newsstands, February 12th and will launch online at www.si.com/swimsuit.

The Islands Of The Bahamas have served as a backdrop to many national and international film and photo shoots, and this marks the fifth appearance in SI Swimsuit. During the crew’s visit, SI Swimsuit celebrated some of its most iconic past covers with swimsuits recreated from body paint. SI Swimsuit models took part in these tributes on the white sand beaches of Great Exuma Island.

…continue >

The government has established a Central Revenue Agency (CRA) and has secured an initial location for its base of operation, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis said Wednesday.

The first sections of the CRA are expected to establish offices “in the very near future.”

Halkitis made the announcement during the first in a series of Meet the Ministers sessions being hosted by the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation.

…continue >

In the first of a series of Meet the Ministers sessions, Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis spoke about the government’s strategy for economic growth with members of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation.

The strategy includes diversifying the tourism and financial services industries, while fostering links between sectors, and to identify and remove impediments to growth, particularly in the business environment.

According to Halkitis, the government attaches a high priority to identifying, promoting and supporting new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, but will also support local small and medium size enterprises which, he says, are “the real engines of growth and job creation.”

…continue >

Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis says that the government is confident that its policies will help reduce the deficit and curb spending during the upcoming fiscal year.

A major regional cricket tournament and a high-profile exhibition football match are events being held in The Bahamas this year that Ministry of Tourism officials say will help promote the nation in a unique way.

For the fourth time in less than a year, a senior attorney from The Bahamas will attend a major international conference on aviation.

Llewellyn Boyer-Cartwright, a partner at Callenders & Co law firm, will attend the conference in Malta March 4, his fourth following others in Washington, DC, Orlando and Aruba.

Boyer-Cartwright, a former commercial jet pilot and a senior lawyer, has long championed aviation in The Bahamas. In late 2012, the government convened an Aircraft Registry Consultative Committee, hoping to propel a movement first proposed by the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) in 1999.

“There are so many opportunities out there for business for The Bahamas if we establish a quality aircraft registry,” said Boyer-Cartwright. “Financing, legal services, appraisals, surveying, inspection, maintenance, repair, fueling, pilots, landing fees.”

…continue >

A documented National Strategy for the maritime administration of The Bahamas was produced at the end of a stakeholder workshop held last week in Nassau.

Participants in the workshop actively discussed and debated the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) expectations of a maritime administration, described in Assembly Resolution A.1054(27) Code for the Implementation of mandatory IMO Instruments, with a view to developing the recommended National Strategy.

Participants agreed that a comprehensive strategy is critical to maintaining full compliance with all national obligations and the efficient deployment of national resources.

…continue >

Ocean Thermal Energy Corporation (OTE) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kongsberg Devotek for the joint development of sustainable clean energy systems worldwide based on Onshore and Floating Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Inland Geothermal Power Systems. OTE is a world leader in OTEC technology and its commercialization and Kongsberg Devotek is a world leader in advanced technology and is developing advanced conventional and low temperature Geothermal Inland Power Systems, which share common technology with OTEC power systems. Kongsberg Devotek, as the lead organization in Norway, will also lead a team of other organizations in Norway bringing expertise critical to the OTEC commercialization including Floating Platforms, Large Deep Ocean Pipe Technology, Deep Sea System Development, and System Integration and Construction.

…continue >

…continue >

The 25th annual Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show will host NISI as it unveils exciting details about the new NISI XPRESSO Series.

Detailed specifications and plans of the recently announced NISI 1700 XPRESSO (17m/58ft) will be available during the show, in addition to the NISI 2400 debut model, which will be on public display and available for viewing.

NISI will be exhibiting at the centrally located RAMP 15 along Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.

NISI Collection now spans 58 to 86 feet in length. NISI Custom builds are tailored from 98 to 118 feet.

The 25th annual Miami Yacht & Brokerage Show runs February 14-18.

…continue >