The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said that present estimates indicate that the Bahamian economy recorded real growth on the order of 1.8 per cent in 2017.

“This renewed buoyancy stemmed primarily from construction activity associated with on-going foreign investment projects, as well as rebuilding work in the wake of the hurricanes,” DPM Turnquest said as he presented fiscal developments during the first half of the 2017/18 fiscal year in the House of Assembly, February 21, 2018.

The DPM said he would present a more detailed and comprehensive mid-year fiscal update to Parliament during his Contribution to the Debate on the Mid-Year Statement and related resolution.

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Minister of State for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister Kwasi Thompson February 15, welcomed two representatives from the Organization of American States (OAS) Small Business Development Centre.

He noted that the government has been working with the OAS to develop a Small Business Development Centre in the country, and to create one in Grand Bahama.

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The Bahamian financial services community is increasingly turning to cloud computing to save costs, simplify processes and enhance data security, according to industry expert Scott MacKenzie.

MacKenzie, CEO of Cloud Carib, says the Bahamas-based firm provides solutions to over 35 per cent of financial services providers in The Bahamas.

Cloud Carib offers clients a full suite of virtual data management services, allowing them to outsource the burden of data storage. Aside from those in the financial industry, the company’s clients include government, the legal sector, software developers, healthcare operators and hospitality firms.

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Officials of the government of The Bahamas and Oban Energies February 19 signed the heads of agreement for a $4 billion project planned for East Grand Bahama.

The signing took place less than five days after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced in the House of Assembly that the Cabinet of the Bahamas had given Oban Energies the go-ahead to commence the process that will lead to construction of an oil refinery and oil storage facility in Grand Bahama.

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Pictured: Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration Brent Symonette (left), welcomes Lombard Odier & Cie executives, Christophe Hentsch, partner/head office, (centre), and Renaud Vielfaure, local managing director, in a courtesy call at the Ministry February 19, 2018. (BIS Photo/Derek Smith)

The 20th Grand Bahama Business Outlook (GBBO), set for February 22, 2018, will bring together public and private sector experts who will share key elements for the revitalization of the Grand Bahama economy, ranging from energy to technology solutions.

The event will be held at The Grand Lucayan Resort featuring Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Parliament for East Grand Bahama Peter Turnquest as the keynote speaker.

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SANTA CLARITA, Calif., February 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Princess Cays, an exclusive island destination for Princess Cruises guests, now offers the ultimate fun-in-the-sun experience with program enhancements, renovated areas and newly defined “surfing” with MedallionNet™ Wi-Fi, the only cruise industry private island to offer connectivity ashore.

Princess Cays was ranked among the “Top Cruise Line Private Island Destinations” by Cruise Critic for 2017. Located on the southern tip of the island of Eleuthera in the outer Bahamas, Princess Cays has offered a beachside hideaway to guests since 1992. The beach is situated on approximately 40 acres, including more than a mile and a half of pristine, white-sand shoreline and is a featured call on Princess’ Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.

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The Caribbean Tourism Office recently released its Caribbean Tourism Performance Report 2017 and Outlook, showing that the number of stay-over or tourist visits to the region reached 30 million in 2017 and bringing an estimated $37 billion in total visitor spending.

Ryan Skeete, director of research and IT at the organization, presented the findings February 15, 2018, at CTO Headquarters, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados.

Here follows the presentation:

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Downtown Nassau is all set for a facelift, with work already underway on major projects such as The Pointe and a seafront boardwalk, as well as forthcoming plans to utilise public spaces.
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Pictured: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest brings remarks at an appreciation luncheon for the first female Treasurer of The Bahamas Eugenia Cartwright at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, February 14, 2018. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

Eugenia Cartwright, the first female treasurer in the Public Treasury Department, has been appointed deputy financial secretary for operations at the Ministry of Finance.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said: “This is a very significant role in the way forward for the Ministry of Finance, because for too long the Ministry has been allowed to kind of drift.”

The comments came during an appreciation luncheon for Cartwright at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, February 14, 2018.

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