Daily Archives: June 23, 2021

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

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Consultant Physicians Staff Association (CPSA) President Dr Sabriquet Pinder-Butler said yesterday the government ought to be cautious with its proposed vaccination day, indicating that proper forward-planning and enforcement will be necessary to avoid vaccination events such as parties becoming environments for COVID-19 to spread.

Even though the experts perhaps may continue to resound that the chances are very low of something happening and we accept that the chances may be low the fact that if a chance is still there, it still means you have to pay attention and practice certain measures to mitigate anything that could happen related to that, she told Eyewitness News.

Pinder acknowledged there is fatigue COVID-19 among Bahamians, and said while there is a desire for greater human interaction, vaccinated individuals lowering their guard could have a negative impact.

She continued: I think we still have to very cautious with these types of events because certainly, the potential is there for that to negatively impact us.

The prime minister announced that vaccination day earlier this month.

During the wrap-up to the budget debate on Monday, he indicated that vaccinated individuals will be able to party on at restaurants and bars, though the onus of ensuring only vaccinated individuals attend will be on hosts and establishment.

To this, Pinder said: I hope the government has thought about the measures that they will put in place because when we make these decisions, I think one of the things that we oftentimes see in-country is that we dont put the measures in place ahead of making these decisions.

The threat of more contagious, variants of COVID-19 such as the Delta strain, which is spread throughout the United States, the United Kingdom and over 70 other countries, is a danger to The Bahamas, health officials have acknowledged.

While vaccination substantially lowers the chance of contracting the virus and becoming severely ill, it is still possible to contract and pass on COVID-19 when fully vaccinated.

Pinder said it is for that reason that the government should also review its travel policy that now allows travelers upon becoming fully vaccinated, and passing the two-week inoculation period, to enter The Bahamas without an RT PCR negative test.

I think it is very important for us to review that policy, she said.

There first reason would be just because of the high transmissibility of that particular variant.

The second reason is we have pretty much reopened the country. I would have seen pictures recently at the airport and at hotels, and besides the fact that there are concerns with social distancing in the first instance, if we dont have testing in play and perhaps [if] persons are tested at the hotel, I think it would be interesting to see how many of those persons are actually testing positive there.

Pinder said she fully appreciates the need for employment and accepts it is a difficult balance between health and the economy, we have to be careful because certainly once we have it (Delta) in and we are still moving around every day, and we dont have the measures in place to identify these cases; were not doing proper surveillance and those type of things, anything could happen.

More than 79,000 people have been vaccinated.

While it is unclear how many of that figure previously contracted or has contracted COVID-19, another 12,000-plus people infected with the virus could have immunity as a result of developing antibodies.

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Pinder: Govt ought to be cautious with vaccination day to avoid negative fallout - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis today announced party on for fully vaccinated individuals as he outlined the permittance of social gatherings for those who have taken the jab.

During his presentation for the 2021/2022 budget debate, the prime minister said people who are fully vaccinated can now engage in private and social gatherings in their homes and elsewhere once all attendees have been vaccinated.

You can interpret that. The young people will interpret it [as] party on, Minnis said.

Minnis also announced changes to the daily curfews throughout the country that will go into effect tonight for all visitors and residents.

On New Providence and Abaco, the daily curfew will move to 11pm to 5am.

On Grand Bahama, the curfew will move to midnight to 5am.

On Cat Island and North and Central Andros, the curfew will move to 10pm to 5am.

Additionally, there will no longer be a curfew on the Berry Islands, South Andros and Mangrove Cay.

Minnis said his plan for the country to celebrate a Vaccination Day will take place once health officials determine that a sufficient number of the eligible population has been vaccinated.

The prime minister urged residents, however, to still adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.

Several changes to travel restrictions were also announced, including the removal of the RT-PCR test requirement for travel from Grand Bahama, Cat Island and Andros, effective immediately.

The $10 charge for a travel health visa for fully vaccinated Bahamians and residents returning to the country will be removed effective July 1.

The prime minister also announced additional changes to restrictions for funerals, memorials and weddings.

Funeral and memorial services will now be permitted in a church or other indoor facility in accordance with the health protocols and the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) guidelines approved by the Ministry of Health.

Minnis said there is no requirement for attendees to be fully vaccinated.

However, repasts are still not permitted on New Providence and Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, mainland Abaco, Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Great and Little Exuma

Wedding receptions will now be permitted on New Providence and Grand Bahama, provided that all attendees are fully vaccinated.

Hosts of wedding receptions, private gatherings and other social events will be responsible for verifying that guests are fully vaccinated and will be subjected to fines for non-compliance.

Our aim is to fully reopen in several months if various conditions are met and advised by health officials, Minnis said.

As always, we will continue to follow the science and consult with our health team on how best to move forward.

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PARTY ON: PM drops restrictions on social gatherings for fully vaccinated - EyeWitness News