Category Archives: Bahamas

The Gonzaga women will hit almost every point in the compass this season.

Released on Monday, the Zags nonconference schedule includes trips to Wyoming, Texas and Northern California.

The highlight of the nonconference season might just be a trip to Paradise.

On Nov. 19-21, Gonzaga will play three games in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. Brackets havent been announced yet, but the eight-team field is loaded with power programs such as Tennessee, Texas and Louisville. Other teams are Marquette, Rutgers, South Dakota State and UCLA.

The nonconference schedule calls for eight games at the McCarthey Athletic Center. It opens with an exhibition game against Division II Western Washington on Nov. 4.

On Nov. 10, the Zags host Long Beach State for the first time in program history before hosting Big Sky Conference program Southern Utah on Nov. 12.

The Bulldogs will hit the road for the first time on Nov. 15 when they visit Wyoming. Last season, GU held off the Cowgirls, 54-47, in Spokane.

Four days later, the Zags will be on Paradise Island for their second straight tropical-zone tournament. Last year at the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu, the Zags swept Utah, Eastern Illinois and host Hawaii to win the trophy.

The team returns home on Nov. 26 to take on Eastern Washington, a program theyve beaten 17 straight times. Two days later, GU will host Maine in the programs first meeting.

Gonzaga then goes on the road for the next two games to Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 1 and then to perennial power Stanford on Dec. 4.

GU met the Cardinal twice last season, losing 66-62 in the Kennel in a previously schedule meeting and 66-50 in an add-on game at Stanford.

The Bulldogs return home to close out the nonconference slate against Queens University of North Carolina on Dec. 6, UC Davis on Dec. 11, and Montana on Dec. 21.

By that time GU will already have played two West Coast Conference games. The Zags host BYU on Dec. 15 and San Diego on Dec. 17.

Missing from the schedule is regional rival Washington State. The Zags and Cougs have met 11 straight seasons, with GU going 7-4 in that stretch. WSU won the most recent meeting, 51-49, on Dec. 8 in the Kennel.

Game times will be released at a later date.

Gonzaga is coming off a 27-7 season that included a WCC tournament title and a first-round win over Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament. The Zags fell at No. 1 seed Louisville, 68-59, in the second round.

Looking ahead, the Zags must replace four starters in Melody Kempton, Anamaria Virjoghe, Cierra Walker and Abby OConnor.

The challenge isnt as daunting as it first appears, however, because backups Kaylynne Truong and Yvonne Ejim played starter-level minutes anyway and will move seamlessly into the lineup alongside starting point guard Kayleigh Truong.

In the frontcourt, backups Eliza Hollingsworth and Maud Huijbens appear to have the best chance of seeing significant time, or even starting.

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Gonzaga women's basketball to make trips to California, Texas, Wyoming and The Bahamas during nonconference schedule - The Spokesman Review

TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This winter, Sunwing customers can return to the dream vacation destination of Freeport, Grand Bahama, the second largest city in the Bahamas, starting December 17, 2022 with weekly direct flights from Toronto and Montral on board Sunwing Airlines. Experiences of a lifetime await sun-seekers in this Bahamian paradise with beautiful weather, pristine beaches, underwater adventures, charming all inclusive stays and a variety of cultural and historical sites.

Situated off the coast of Florida in the northwest region of the Bahamas, Freeport offers travellers of all ages a tropical playground with comfortable temperatures year-round where they can discover the depths of this idyllic destination on land and at sea.

A true paradise for nature lovers, Freeport is home to a world of wonders beneath the seas surface with vibrant coral reef in the shape of a painters palette at Picassos Gallery, a famous dive spot for visitors, and sunken shipwrecks waiting to be uncovered. Vacationers yearning for more daring adventures can swim alongside friendly Caribbean reef sharks at Shark Alley for a magical geological experience or explore one of the worlds largest underwater cave systems at Lucayan National Park.

Vacationers cant miss a visit to Garden of the Groves exploring winding trails, cascading waterfalls, sparkling fountains and a picturesque chapel, spotting many indigenous migratory birds and butterflies along the way.

Those with a penchant for sun and sand can lay down their towel at Freeports pristine beaches including Gold Rock Beach, Taino Beach and Fortune Beach, a secluded oasis on the southwestern edge of Grand Bahama. There, Sunwing customers can explore the local culture and cuisine by taking in some live entertainment at Count Basie Square or head to Port Lucaya Marketplace, a waterfront hub great for shopping handmade souvenirs and dining.

When travelling to Freeport with Sunwing, customers can expect a charming all inclusive vacation experience at Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach, located on a stunning beachfront and offering a host of amenities to keep guests of all ages entertained throughout their stay. Guests can lay by the freshwater pool or on the stretch of sand, take advantage of action-packed activities like trapeze, paintball, snorkelling and beach volleyball, work up a sweat with the resorts Vivafit offerings or tee off at The Reef Course ($) nearby in Grand Lucayan. With four restaurants and two bars, guests can dine buffet-style and enjoy la carte restaurants serving a variety of culinary options.

With weekly direct flights starting December 17, 2022 from Toronto and Montral, Sunwing customers can book Freeport, Grand Bahama today for all inclusive stays at Viva Wyndham Beach Resort this winter.

About Sunwing

The largest integrated travel company in North America, Sunwing has more flights to the south than any other leisure carrier with convenient direct service from airports across Canada to popular sun destinations across the U.S.A., Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations as well as cruise packages and seasonal domestic flight service. Sunwing customers benefit from the assistance of the companys own knowledgeable destination representatives, who greet them upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. The company supports the communities where it operates through the Sunwing Foundation, a charitable initiative focused on the support and development of youth and humanitarian aid.

For more information:

Melanie Anne FilippDirector, Corporate Communications & Media RelationsSunwing Travel Group1-800-387-5602|media@sunwing.ca

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bbd92ff2-803d-47f7-8f78-0103b6a0b2fa

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Sunwing reminds customers why it's better in the Bahamas - GlobeNewswire

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater aircraft crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of this sailing vessel about 85 miles southeast of Islamorada, Florida, Aug. 27, 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

MIAMI Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yereds crew transferred 51 people to the Bahamas, Wednesday, following an interdiction off the coast of the Cay Sal Bank.

A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules airplane crew alerted Sector Key West watchstanders of a sailing vessel, Saturday, at 1 a.m., about 29 miles northeast of Cay Sal Bank.

Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered and Coast Guard Cutter Diligences crews arrived on scene and transferred the people aboard.

No injuries were reported.

The Coast Guard and our partners continue to patrol the Florida Straits, and Windward and Mona Passages to help prevent loss of life, said Chief Petty Officer Stephen Lehmann, Coast Guard Seventh District. The water can be an unpredictable place and deadly for the unprepared. Taking to the seas on rustic makeshift vessels without safety gear or lifesaving equipment is a disaster waiting to happen.

Since Oct. 1, 2021, Coast Guard crews have interdicted 7173 Haitian migrants compared to:

Once aboard a Coast Guard cutter, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and basic medical attention.

For more news follow us on Twitter and Facebook. For recent photographs follow us on Flickr.

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Coast Guard transfers 51 Haitians to The Bahamas - Coast Guard News - Coast Guard News

MSC Cruises is easing its protocols on departures from the U.S. that sail to the Caribbean and the Bahamas starting in September. It will become even easier for guests to cruise when it comes to testing and vaccination requirements.

Guests should note that the cruise line is adhering to different protocols for guests based in the United States and guests based outside of the country.

Starting September 1, 2022, MSC Cruises will be making it much easier for everyone based in the United States to enjoy a cruise to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The Switzerland-based cruise company will be updating its health and safety protocols, which include relaxed testing and vaccination measures.

For cruises to the Caribbean or the Bahamas from a U.S. homeport, MSC Cruises will no longer require guests to be fully vaccinated to be able to sail, if they are a resident of the country. The company now states that vaccinations are recommended but no longer required.

Besides the vaccination requirements being dropped, guests who have been fully vaccinated will no longer need to provide a negative test result before the start of the cruise. The same applies here as with vaccinations testing is highly recommended but not required. Guests with fully vaccinated status will still need to show proof of their vaccinations upon boarding.

Guests who have not been fully vaccinated are now allowed to sail as long as they provide a negative test result. This can be either a NAAT test or an antigen test, taken within three days of embarkation. Children younger than two years old do not need to provide a negative test result.

The change in protocols follows several other major cruise lines which have made changes in recent weeks. Those changes follow the decision from the CDC to let go of the Voluntary Program for cruise ships earlier this year.

Guests who are not a U.S. resident but who sail from a U.S. homeport are not included in the new protocols effective September 1.

These guests must comply with the older regulations, which include a full vaccination requirement for all guests ages 12 and older. Regardless of the vaccination status, guests two years old and up should provide proof of a negative test, which can be either a NAAT or antigen test, taken within three days of embarkation.

MSC Cruises does recommend that all guests eligible for a booster shot get one before their cruise.

MSC Cruises currently has two cruise ships sailing from a US-based homeport and will add a third in the coming month.

MSC Divina sails from Port Canaveral, Florida, on a series of cruises to the Caribbean, ranging in length from seven to 11 days long. The ship focuses mainly on the Western Caribbean, with calls to Cozumel and Costa Maya, with a call to the cruise lines private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, included in each voyage.

MSC Seashore is operating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Miami. The 170,412 gross tons, 4,540-passenger Seaside EVO-class cruise ship sails to San Juan, St Thomas, Puerto Plata, Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios, Cozumel, and more.

From October 7, MSC Meraviglia will begin operations from Port Canaveral, sailing on cruises ranging from five to seven days, which can be combined to cruises 14 days long. MSC Meraviglia, a 171,000 gross tons cruise ship with space for 4,500 guests, will sail to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean.

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MSC Cruises Eases Protocols for Sailings to the Bahamas and Caribbean - Cruise Hive

DUNDAS TOWN, ABACO Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Philip Davis maintained that all Bahamian islands were very vulnerable to climate change issues and to weather threats, especially hurricanes, at a weather symposium last week.

He was addressing the Abaco Weather Symposium at the Friendship Tabernacle Church, in Dundas Town, on August 26, 2022.

The people of Abaco and Grand Bahama know far better than I do, the trauma and destruction of a Category 5 hurricane, Davis said.

Apart from the extreme heat, the threat of annual hurricanes, along with rising sea levels, means we have to make vigorous efforts to prepare ourselves more effectively to deal with natural disasters.

Among those present were Minster of State in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction Myles LaRoda; Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister (stationed in Abaco) and Member of Parliament for North Abaco Kirk Cornish; Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, and Member of Parliament for Central and South Abaco John Pinder II; Senior Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister Kevin Simmons; Bishop Silbert Mills; local officials; senior representatives of the Uniformed Branches and NGOs; and other local stakeholders and residents.

Among the international participants were former Director of the United States National Hurricane Centre (NHC) Max Mayfield; and Fox Weather Hurricane and Emergency Communications Specialist Bryan Norcross.

Norcross also interviewed Prime Minister Davis, for Fox Weather, to discuss climate change and the Abacos, post-Hurricane Dorian.

Davis noted that, during the prior week, The Bahamas hosted the first ever Caribbean regional conference, specifically focused on building a consensus for the United Nations negotiations on climate change.

This was historic for many reasons, not least because our country has now firmly stepped up to take on an influential role in the global response to climate change, he said.

While issues of funding, carbon credits, and so on grabbing many of the headlines, for us here at home, climate change is already affecting our way of life, he added.

More so than ever before, we need to be prepared.

Davis noted that July was the hottest on record worldwide, and that, overall, the past summer tied for the second hottest on record.

The data isnt in as yet, but this summer must also be among the hottest, he said.

He pointed out there was a serious possibility that from that point on, all may look back on those past two summers as the coolest.

It is a sobering thought, Davis said.

But the mention of the name Dorian gives us even greater pause for thought.

Davis also spoke anecdotally of the effects of Hurricane Dorian on The Bahamas as a country, initiatives he introduced to address environmental issues of a small-island developing state (SIDS) like his country, as well as the importance of The Bahamas in the global environment.

He also noted that, in ancient times, symposia were characterized by the intellectual quality of the discussions.

I pray that your conversations are conducted with the same rigor, passion, and urgency of ancient times, he said.

Davis also extended a special welcome to Bryan Norcross and Max Mayfield, who, he said, would add an international dimension to the conversation.

We are grateful for their many years of unpaid service to our island nation, he said.

I want to thank you for being a friend to The Bahamas, he added.

I want to thank Bishop Mills for bringing together this symposium; and I trust that when this is complete, you all would have been able to exchange ideas, and come up with solutions to some of the issues and challenges that we have.

Please note, that, in my Administration, you have a true and real partner.

Continue reading here:

PM: All Islands of The Bahamas are 'very vulnerable' - EyeWitness News

ByNEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas was yesterday urged to get serious about fixing its long-standing education crisis amid private sector fears that it will continue to undermine workforce productivity and economic competitiveness.

Peter Goudie, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederations (BCCEC) labour division head, told Tribune Business that the business community continues to be very concerned about the public education systems output after just 13 percent of students obtained five BGCSE grades of C or higher in this summers exams.

That is a question that doesnt need to be asked, he replied to this newspapers inquiries. Everybodys concerned. They keep talking about reforming the education system, but its going to take years to fix it and that will only be if someone wants to fix it.

In many ways, social progression has to be stopped and people have to pass into the next grade. Yes, were very concerned. Of course we are. If people are not coming out with better than a D- average, we have a problem. The thing is the Ministry of Education has got to get serious about fixing the problem, and also the private sector is worried about people with these grade averages and how much its going to affect our productivity.

Some 633 students gained five BGCSE grades that were C or higher out of 4,906 total students who sat the exams this summer. That, though, was hailed by Ministry of Education officials as a 15 percent increase over the prior year when just 550 met this benchmark.

Mr Goudie, who is among the private sector representatives on the National Tripartite Council, the body that deals with all labour-related matters in The Bahamas, said productivity-related concerns surrounding the quality of public high school graduates - their skills, knowledge and suitability for the work environment - were why a Productivity Council had been included in this nations Decent Work country programme.

That has been approved by the Government, and he added that an apprenticeship initiative is also planned. Both that and the Productivity Council, though, await the necessary funding from the Government and there has been no indication yet on how or when this will be forthcoming.

Weve got to have people coming out of school with enough education to be productive, Mr Goudie reiterated. Were going to have a problem. Were going to have a problem if we cant increase productivity. Anyone can figure that out. Its very urgent.

Weve talked about reforming the education system for years, but it has not been done. Until someone gets serious were not going to get anywhere. All you have to do is ask yourself how long have we had a D- average on the BGCSE. Thats all you have to ask yourself. Thats not acceptable. Were in trouble.

A highly-educated, skilled and agile workforce is critical to The Bahamas economic prospects in the service-oriented export industries in which it competes as an international business and financial centre, focused on tourism and financial services. Yet every year there have been concerns over how many of the estimated annual 5,000 high school leavers, especially those entering the workforce, will find gainful employment.

Some 392 students, or just 7.99 percent of those that took the BGCSEs this summer, earned a C or higher in maths, English and a science, further serving to highlight concerns about the literacy and numeracy levels of high school graduates. Another 952, or 19.4 percent, gained a minimum D grade in at least five subjects. The results came as Sandals Royal Bahamian prepares to hold a job fair tomorrow seeking 60 Bahamian recruits to fill a variety of posts.

The results show that little to nothing has changed since the private sectors Coalition for Education Reform produced its 2005report, drawn up by economist Ralph Massey, which revealed that the average mean math and English BGCSE grades for 2004 were E and D- respectively.

Highlighting real-life examples of functional literacy, or the lack of it, among Bahamian job seekers, the report said: A recent high school graduate in a beginning class at the Bahamas Technical & Vocational Institute answered 22 to the question What does 2 times 2 equal?The next question What does 7 times 7 equal? was answered 14.

ABahamian executive makes it a practice to interview all job candidates in his departments; and during each interview he always leaves theoffice and asks the candidate to write a brief paragraph that includes his name and a description of his education and/or work experience. Invariably the applicant cannot write a paragraph with clear sentences, correctly arranged and with minimal spelling errors.

Turning to the economic implications, the Coalitions report added: The Bahamian businessman cannot help but agree with the BGCSE report that the overall level of academic achievement of high school graduates is totally unacceptable.

He cannot help but worry about a world that is becoming ever more knowledge driven.Improvements in productivity can come with the adoption of new technologies that require increased worker and managerial skills, and survival may be possible only by exploiting new service industries requiring greater job skills.In discussing the BGCSE reports and the untapped resource, one can only conclude that something significant must be done with the Bahamian educational system.

Link:

Bahamas urged to 'get serious on education fix' - Bahamas Tribune

The Gonzaga women will hit almost every point in the compass this season.

Released on Monday, the Zags nonconference schedule includes trips to Wyoming, Texas and Northern California.

The highlight of the nonconference season might just be a trip to Paradise.

On Nov. 19-21, Gonzaga will play three games in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. Brackets havent been announced yet, but the eight-team field is loaded with power programs such as Tennessee, Texas and Louisville. Other teams are Marquette, Rutgers, South Dakota State and UCLA.

The nonconference schedule calls for eight games at the McCarthey Athletic Center. It opens with an exhibition game against Division II Western Washington on Nov. 4.

On Nov. 10, the Zags host Long Beach State for the first time in program history before hosting Big Sky Conference program Southern Utah on Nov. 12.

The Bulldogs will hit the road for the first time on Nov. 15 when they visit Wyoming. Last season, GU held off the Cowgirls, 54-47, in Spokane.

Four days later, the Zags will be on Paradise Island for their second straight tropical-zone tournament. Last year at the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu, the Zags swept Utah, Eastern Illinois and host Hawaii to win the trophy.

The team returns home on Nov. 26 to take on Eastern Washington, a program theyve beaten 17 straight times. Two days later, GU will host Maine in the programs first meeting.

Gonzaga then goes on the road for the next two games to Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 1 and then to perennial power Stanford on Dec. 4.

GU met the Cardinal twice last season, losing 66-62 in the Kennel in a previously schedule meeting and 66-50 in an add-on game at Stanford.

The Bulldogs return home to close out the nonconference slate against Queens University of North Carolina on Dec. 6, UC Davis on Dec. 11, and Montana on Dec. 21.

By that time GU will already have played two West Coast Conference games. The Zags host BYU on Dec. 15 and San Diego on Dec. 17.

Missing from the schedule is regional rival Washington State. The Zags and Cougs have met 11 straight seasons, with GU going 7-4 in that stretch. WSU won the most recent meeting, 51-49, on Dec. 8 in the Kennel.

Game times will be released at a later date.

Gonzaga is coming off a 27-7 season that included a WCC tournament title and a first-round win over Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament. The Zags fell at No. 1 seed Louisville, 68-59, in the second round.

Looking ahead, the Zags must replace four starters in Melody Kempton, Anamaria Virjoghe, Cierra Walker and Abby OConnor.

The challenge isnt as daunting as it first appears, however, because backups Kaylynne Truong and Yvonne Ejim played starter-level minutes anyway and will move seamlessly into the lineup alongside starting point guard Kayleigh Truong.

In the frontcourt, backups Eliza Hollingsworth and Maud Huijbens appear to have the best chance of seeing significant time, or even starting.

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Gonzaga women's basketball to make trips to California, Texas, Wyoming and The Bahamas during nonconference schedule - NBC Right Now

This designer shack is an off-grid tropical dreamscape.

After becoming infatuated with the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, two Miami architects decided to buy land and build a house there. Due to the remote 176-square-mile islands limited resources, the married couple who together run Brillhart Architecture decided to construct the cottage in their Florida backyard, then ship it 256 miles to Eleuthera.

I had more tools and more capabilities in Miami than I did out there on the island at that time, where we had no power and no water, Jacob Brillhart explained to Insider.

The life and project partners decided to build the huts frame first, ship it, then work with a local to put together the propertys outer shell. The process ended up taking five years of planning and less than five weeks of assembly work, with the foundation and first floor completed in just 10 or so days, and the second floor and roof done in roughly three weeks.

Despite the length of the whole process, the overeager duo still couldnt wait to start living in their approximately 600-square-foot escape.

We moved in way before we should have, Melissa Brillhart told Insider. My daughter Simms was 3 months old when she first stayed there, and it was just plywood. There was just maybe a sink in there, with a bathroom, and that was about it.

By early 2021, the space was finalized and more than livable at least, for those seeking solitude and nature more than state-of-the-art amenities. The stove and hot-water heater run on propane gas that needs to be filled up at a nearby gas station and the waste system involves a septic tank and drain field, the Brillharts told Insider.

The pair are so happy with the finished product, theyve begun using it not as a vacation home, as they initially intended, but as a satellite office while they work on more business in the Bahamas.

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We built a cottage in our backyard and shipped it to the Bahamas - New York Post

POMPANO BEACH, FL / ACCESSWIRE / August 25, 2022 / Basanite Industries, LLC (hereafter referred to as "Basanite") (OTCQB:BASA), a manufacturer of advanced composite products for use in reinforcing concrete in the construction industry, announced that, working with local contacts, it has obtained Government of the Bahamas Approval (Bahamas Ministry of Works and Transport) for basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) rebar (including Basanite's BasaFlex) to be utilized in place of conventional steel rebar for reinforcement in concrete structures throughout the Bahamas.

In tandem with this approval, Basanite has entered into a Distributor Agreement with ART Heavy Equipment & Development (ART) of Nassau, Bahamas. ART will act as the regional stocking distributor of Basanite's composite products for the construction industry in the Bahamas.

ART's initial order includes more than 100,000 feet of BasaFlex, approximately one (1) mile of BasaMesh (geogrid basalt fiber mesh), and one ton of BasaMix (fine denier chopped basalt fibers).This is the first in an expected series of orders as ART sets out to meet the anticipated strong demand for Basanite products, which comply with the Bahamian Prime Minister's "green" initiatives.

ART is a building materials and supplies distributor, based in Nassau, Bahamas, led by its President Mr. Avery Lightbourne. With the Bahamian Building Code approval and the Distributor Agreement in place, ART is now able to offer its customers Basanite's full line of corrosion-proof products for concrete reinforcement. ART's primary customer base is located in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, where corrosion of steel from saltwater exposure is a major problem, and Basanite's green, corrosion-proof, basalt fiber products offer a compelling solution.

"I would like to thank the Basanite team for helping us achieve this landmark approval, especially Fred Tingberg, Basanite's CTO," said Avery Lightbourne, President of ART. "Fred and I worked together to engage our local media in Nassau in order to raise public awareness of these state-of-the-art products. Furthermore, Fred was relentless in providing the support necessary to satisfy the Bahamian Ministry of Works technical scrutiny and ultimately obtaining this approval."

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"We are very excited to bring Basanite's products to the Bahamas," said Mr. Tingberg. "Our environmentally friendly, high-performance basalt fiber composite products will help the Government and builders in the Bahamas solve the problems associated with traditional steel construction products (such as infrastructure corrosion) in a manner that helps preserve the environment. We look forward to building a long-lasting relationship with ART in the Bahamas."

About BasaFlex: BasaFlex, a composite reinforcement bar or "rebar," is a state-of-the-art, sustainable alternative to steel in concrete reinforcement. BasaFlex is engineered to add intrinsic value in a concrete structure by eliminating corrosion problems associated with typical steel reinforcement, saving both time and money over the lifecycle worth of a concrete structure. BasaFlex has a 100-year design life, is non-corrosive, weighs just 25 percent of steel, but has a 2.5 times greater tensile strength. It is also transparent to magnetic fields, radar frequencies and other electro-magnetic radiated energy and both electrically and thermally non-conductive. It is easy to use and much safer to handle on the job site. Because of its core advantages and competitive price point, Basanite Inc. is confident BasaFlex will become the construction industry's number one choice for concrete reinforcement.

About BasaMesh: BasaMesh is a line of basalt geogrid mesh rolls, intended to replace welded wire mesh (steel) and other fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) grids or mesh. It is designed for secondary and temperature shrinkage reinforcement. BasaMesh is an excellent choice to work in conjunction with BasaFlex rebar and/or BasaMix chopped fibers for a total reinforcement program.

About BasaMix: BasaMix is pre-packaged fine denier basalt fibers, available in various chopped sizes; designed to help absorb the stresses associated with early aged plastic shrinkage and settlement cracking, as well as providing an increased toughness for enhanced reinforcement in Slab on Grade (SOG) and Precast elements. BasaMix also serves in a "system approach" for optimum performance of a concrete element when used in conjunction with our BasaFlex Rebar.

About Basanite: Basanite, Inc. (OTCQB:BASA), through its wholly owned subsidiary Basanite Industries, LLC, is a manufacturer and developer of a range of environmentally friendly, high-performance basalt fiber composite products used by the construction industry. Superior to traditional steel elements, Basanite's sustainable products are non-corrosive, lighter, stronger and longer lasting. For more information, please visit http://www.BasaniteIndustries.com.

About ART Heavy Equipment & Development: ART is a building materials and supplies distributor, based in Nassau, Bahamas, led by Mr. Avery Lightbourne, President.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release and statements by the Company's management in connection therewith contains or may contain "forward-looking statements," which are based on Company management's current expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Such statements include those regarding the Company's business and performance, its prospects, its products and the market for such products, the economy, and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circumstances, and results, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believe," "goal," "feel," "may," "plan," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "potential" and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release and made in connection with the symposium referred to herein reflect Basanite's current analysis of existing trends and information and represent Basanite's judgment only as of the date of this press release. Actual results (including, without limitation, the results and anticipated benefits of the Bahamian Government approval and distributor agreement described herein) may differ materially from current expectations based on a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements (including the risk of market acceptance of the Company's products in the Bahamas and the ability of the Company to satisfy product orders), as well as risks generally relating to the business of the Company (including the risk of the Company continuing as a going concern), please see the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, including but not limited to the discussion under "Risk Factors" therein, which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2022, as well as the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which may be viewed at http://www.sec.gov.

Basanite contact:

Simon R. KayCEOsk@basaniteindustries.com

SOURCE: Basanite Industries

View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/713435/Basanite-Announces-Approval-from-the-Government-of-Bahamas-for-BFRP-to-Replace-Steel-in-Concrete-Reinforcement-and-Engagement-of-Basanites-First-Distributor-for-The-Bahamas

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Basanite Announces Approval from the Government of Bahamas for BFRP to Replace Steel in Concrete Reinforcement and Engagement of Basanite's First...

Wendy Warren, pictured below left, of Caystone Solutions says The Bahamas has shown great resilience against the pressures facing all global financial centers, thanks to its high standards for compliance and innovation

By any standards international financial centres such as The Bahamas have faced unprecedented challenges over the past several years and in even in most recent months. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, recent economic turbulence and never-ending scrutiny by international bodies have intensified the business and competitive environment confronting global financial centres.

Yet despite these conditions and the associated pressures, The Bahamas continues to be among the world contenders for international financial services. This kind of resilience is a hallmark of the financial services sector in The Bahamas. No matter the state of the economy, no matter what changes are occurring in the financial services and regulatory landscape, The Bahamas has always maintained its status as a global leader by being able to adapt to the new normal.

Three factors contribute to The Bahamas' hardened resilience and ability to compete successfully on the global stage: true to its roots and pedigree; adopting the highest standards for compliance, innovation and client centric responsiveness; and focusing and embracing developments emerging in the New Economy.

This trifold formula has been paramount in The Bahamas' ability to attract and welcome international families, capital and business to its shores. In fact, the demand for residences and talent that The Bahamas offers, which is being embraced by family offices and those seeking wealth management services, underscores why the Bahamas location, regulatory environment and forward-looking legislation are gaining strength and acceptance as core compelling attributes of the jurisdiction.

Remaining true to its roots

The Bahamas is home to over 270 licensed banks and trust companies, including seven of the world's top eight private banks and 35 of the top 100 global banks. These financial institutions deliver a range of services including private banking, trusts, fund administration, accounting, legal e-commerce, insurance, corporate and maritime services. North American banks have been doing business in The Bahamas for more than a century, and European and Swiss banks have deep roots established over more than 70 years. Financial institutions from other regions with growing economies are recognising the advantages of operating in The Bahamas. Additionally, there is an excess of 800 funds that are licensed in The Bahamas and more than 60 fund administrators.

With an 80+ year track record in financial services, few jurisdictions offer the wealth management experience that exists in The Bahamas. This heritage is the basis for the strong legal framework that has been cultivated for financial services, an investment climate that has been nurtured over the decades and a stable and predictable business environment anchored by the thousands of Bahamian professionals who work side by side with expatriate colleagues in the many hundreds of service providers that call the country their home.

There is a sound and proven infrastructure in place that has been built and modernized over the last 20 years. This has facilitated a highly competitive and market responsive financial service offerings and at the same time allowed The Bahamas to move forward in a very confident fashion into the new economy and the various elements of these new economies.

One of the key elements of the Bahamas infrastructure is a very strong public-private partnership where communication is open and frank among all three participants that are involved with this agenda: government, regulator and private sector. This public-private partnership facilitates our engagement in creating and investing in our wealth management pedigree and areas of new economies such as digital assets, carbon credits, and ESG relevant solutions.

Highest standards for innovation, client-centric responsiveness and compliance

The Bahamas, as a financial center post 2000, had to become far more conscious of and proactive in reflecting global norms. As a result, our regulatory foundation has become strong. From a global connectivity perspective, we see this transition paying dividends today in light of what we endured in the past two decades. It has been a dynamic period in that we have had to be fearless in striking the right balance between being compliant and aggressive. If we perceive there is a need to tweak, we will tweak, but we will not stand still, we will always be responsive and reflect the needs of our clients and our partners.

Foundations are a prime example of this fearlessness. When The Bahamas made certain changes to facilitate the introduction of Foundations, we received significant pushback. Some people said, "Wait a minute - Foundations, are these not tools for inappropriate behavior?". But we were very confident that our regime was sufficiently strong to provide a robust, well-regulated environment in which foundations can be utilised in an appropriate manner. So, the perception of Foundations might have been negative elsewhere, but when we look some ten years later, other common law jurisdictions have followed suit.

While 2020 and 2021 have been unprecedented years for many industries, for local financial and corporate service providers in The Bahamas this period brought in a host of new and amended regulations that carry the potential to transform the very landscape of the industry.

The Financial and Corporate Service Providers Act, 2020 enhances the legal and regulatory framework for those providing corporate and administrative services. Meanwhile, the new Banks and Trust Companies Regulations Act, 2020 consolidates and modernises the law regulating local banks and trust companies to enhance governing powers for The Central Bank of The Bahamas. The introduction of the new Investment Funds Act, 2019 which further enhances the regulatory framework of Bahamas investment funds allows for the appointment of international fund administrators, and generally rationalises the responsibilities of all the key parties.

From a level playing field perspective, within the past few years The Bahamas has passed a compendium of legislation to meet international standards regarding economic substance, removal of preferential exemptions, and automatic exchange of tax information to meet the EU and OECD's criteria on tax matters, which resulted in the European Union removing The Bahamas from its list of uncooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes in March 2020. In addition, The Bahamas maintains the highest standards in the fight against money laundering, terrorist financing and other identified risks, and therefore has been making significant strides in the fight against financial crime.

The anti-money laundering, counter financing of terrorism and counterproliferation legislative, regulatory and enforcement landscapes have been thoroughly reviewed and strengthened, with The Bahamas being deemed compliant or largely compliant with 38 out of 40 standards established by the Financial Action Task Force.

The Office of The Bahamas Attorney General will be submitting a re-rating of the final two of the 40 Recommendations to the CFATF - one addressing Not for Profits, and another addressing the effective regulation and supervision/monitoring of virtual asset services providers, working with the Securities Commission of The Bahamas on the latter. The intent of these latest changes is to ensure compliance with all 40 of the FATF Recommendations.

All of these efforts aid in enhancing the risk profile of The Bahamas as an international financial centre, making it an attractive jurisdiction for financial services.

The new economy

Despite the recent turmoil in the crypto market, The Bahamas remains bullish on the mid to long-term prospects for digital assets. It was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a digital currency in the form of the Bahamian Sand Dollar. And the recently introduced Digital Assets and Regulatory Exchange Act (DARE) was developed with the view of how we approach the wider picture. DARE is not a standalone single solution but rather the broad features of the jurisdiction such as private banking and funds coming together to recognise why it and a broader-based Fintech capability is required. It is just the latest example of the strength and flexibility of the jurisdiction - the weaving together of elements to create a financial services fabric that is durable and responsive.

The emergence of The Bahamas as a digital assets hub has resulted in companies such as FTX establishing their global headquarters in Nassau as well as a strong interest in Bahamian corporate vehicles to house the operations of digital asset businesses.

At the same time, emerging developments in this space has meant The Bahamas, in being true to its market responsiveness DNA, is keeping pace with changes that are required to be a world contender as a hub for digital assets. The capital markets regulator - the Securities Commission of The Bahamas - is spearheading a raft of initiatives to advance this transformation, including Amendments to DARE to address key developments since its promulgation.

The new Bahamian economy, however, is much more than digital asset leadership and companies being incorporated into the wide range of financial service providers in the country. The sector's sustainability has implications for the broader economy. The diversity within the financial services sector in terms of product offerings contributes in a meaningful way to the livelihood of the Bahamian people and the country's economy. This contribution will become more pronounced as the country pivots to invest in diversification with a focus on the 'blue and orange' economies, which have been identified as pathways for greater economic expansion, new business opportunities and wealth creation for Bahamians and international investors alike.

The Bahamas is looking to modernise its fishing industry, generating ocean sciences and marine conservation opportunities, while sustainably developing marine biotechnology, aquaculture, and deep-sea exploration initiatives. Renewable energy industries are also on the horizon. Meanwhile, as a vital component of the Bahamian economy, the tourism sector is looking to design a new tourism model that fully integrates culture and the creative industry in The Bahamas.

Both tourism and financial services are actively supporting these initiatives both domestically and internationally. This foreshadows deploying the linkages when the country's traditional economic engines engage the country's New Economy with benefits accruing to both.

Wendy Warren is Managing Director at Caystone Solutions. You can email her at [emailprotected]

This article is also featured in International Investment's latest Special Report on The Bahamas

To view this article in The II Bahamas Special Report ezine, click here to view.

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The Bahamas: A world contender - International Investment