Category Archives: Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said yesterday that the government is concerned about rising inflation and is looking to meet with local wholesalers to see how it can help alleviate the impact of rising consumer prices.

The fact is, when you import 90 percent of what you consume, you import inflation as well.

Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis

Speaking on the issue of inflation yesterday, Halkitis said: It is a concern to us.

He added: We are importers of much of what we produce,and so we, are feeling the effects of what is going on particularly in the US as well as UK.

What we are doing is arranging a meeting with some wholesalers here to have a sit-down with them and just have a chat as to anything that can happen to alleviate the impact of the increases.

Halkitis noted: The fact is, when you import 90 percent of what you consume, you import inflation as well.

The economic affairs minister also noted that the government will do whatever is necessary to get the countrys finances on track.

Responding to concerns raised over its property tax measures and the ability of some to pay, Halkitis noted: The fact of matter is [there has been] almost two years of overly diminished economic activity.

The government had increased its debt at one point up to 100 percent of GDP.

We have to do whatever is necessary to get our finances back in order. We cannot continue to absorb it.

Halkitis said the government is sympathetic to those who may have challenges paying the property taxes and will work with them.

The Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) have expressed concerns over the governments property tax reassessment exercise, which led to significant property tax increases for some property owners.

Some 10,000 previously unregistered properties have reportedly now been added to the property tax register.

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TACKLING INFLATION: Govt to meet with local wholesalers to discuss how to alleviate price increases - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) Bill 2022 will provide the institution with greater autonomy and remove the undue influence parliamentarians and the government have on its daily operations, according to Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Clay Sweeting.

Sweeting, who led debate on the bill in Parliament yesterday, said itis being implemented to lay the educational foundation for the future of agriculture and marine science in this country.

No more calling the member of Parliament or the minister to influence who gets accepted, hired or fired.

Minister of Agriculture Clay Sweeting

This bill provides the legal framework and guidelines for the operation of the institution. Upon the passing of this bill, BAMSI will be able to operate at 100 percent functioning capacity, said Sweeting.

This bill will give the president and board of directors of the institution autonomous control over the affairs of BAMSI, aligning it on par with other institutions nationally and internationally.

Sweeting noted that Senator Dr Erecia Hepburn will serve as the first woman president of the institute.

According to Sweeting, the BAMSI Bill will give the institution the legal framework to solidify agreements with other educational and research institutions, as it attempted to with the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School.

BAMSI can now see these types of relationships established and provide expert training, research and instruction that our students need to grow the agricultural and marine sectors in this country, said Sweeting.

He added: This bill will legitimize BAMSI as an educational institution for science and research. It will not be a farm selling produce to compete with local farmers.

BAMSIs students will, however, create marketing plans and value chains as it pertains to research and agribusiness planning. They will create models for Bahamian farmers that make sense.

Through data collection, science and technology, students will be able to place a monetary value on items grown or produced at BAMSI.

Sweeting noted that the bill will remove the undue influence parliamentarians, ministers and the government have on the daily operations of the institute.

No more calling the member of Parliament or the minister to influence who gets accepted, hired or fired, Sweeting said.

BAMSI is not designed to be a net producer or massive producer of fruits and vegetables, livestock, etc.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard

The board of directors and the president can together pursue relationships with other reputable institutions to promote, position and strengthen BAMSI. They can create opportunities for BAMSI to create income and expand programs.

The BAMSI Bill, 2022, is setting the legal framework to ensure that the actions of the board of directors and its president is transparent and accountable.

The board will be required to submit annual reports of the institutions progress. The board will be mandated to prepare a full audit no less than three months following the beginning of each fiscal year.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, during his contribution to the debate on the bill, suggested that the current administration has misunderstood the role of BAMSI.

BAMSI is not designed to be a net producer or massive producer of fruits and vegetables, livestock, etc, said Pintard.

BAMSI has 800 acres and unless you are putting a portion of that under cultivation using hydroponics or aquaponics, you are not going to produce the volume required on an open 800-acre production.

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MORE AUTONOMY: BAMSI bill to remove 'undue influence', says Sweeting - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville yesterday declined to share the Davis administrations stance on elective abortion and did not provide his views, but said he believes once the public understands the science, key decisions could be made in terms of policy.

He suggested there could be a symposium in the future as the government is aware of the issues surrounding abortion and gender-based violence in The Bahamas, but he could not commit to a time frame.

At this particular time, I cannot indicate what the Cabinets position is on it. But there [have] been some discussions, and I leave it like that.

Minister of Health & Wellness Dr Michael Darville

Responding to questions on the decriminalization of abortion in The Bahamas, the minister said it is an issue that needs to be brought to Cabinet, and one that many countries around the world struggle with.

As far as our position, that has not been finalized, but we are aware of the challenges are a result of violence against women, Darville said.

We are aware of the challenges of abortions. All of these things are issues that affect our society and the Davis administration intends to confront these issues.

But at this particular time, I cannot indicate what the Cabinets position is on it.

But there [have] been some discussions, and I leave it like that.

According to the Penal Code, anyone who is found to have intentionally and unlawfully caused an abortion or miscarriage shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years.

Asked about his own position on abortion, Darville said it is a complex one.

But he said he did not wish to discuss it at this time as there are so many different dimensions.

Maybe one day we will have a symposium because there is illegal abortion, clinical abortion [and] there are abortions that are tied in with the possible death of the mother, the minister said.

These are sometimes tough decisions that need to be made, and so, when we look at it just by the name itself in the medical arena, there are many different areas where tough decisions need to be made.

But me, personally, I withhold my position at this particular time because I do have a strong position and when we come together as a Cabinet and finalize the positions, everyone will have to do it based on their own conscious.

Darville said for many doctors, particularly those who specialize in gross abnormalities in children and the potential risk to a mother, there is a decision that needs to be made.

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NO ABORTION POSITION: Health minister mum on govt's stance toward controversial issue - EyeWitness News

Facebook pages from self-exiled Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui's account are seen on computer screens in Beijing on Aug. 21, 2020. | Ng Han Guan/AP Photo

By Joseph Gedeon

02/16/2022 02:17 PM EST

Updated:02/16/2022 03:02 PM EST

Exiled Chinese billionaire and Steve Bannon ally Guo Wengui filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Tuesday days after a court ordered him to pay $134 million for attempting to avoid debt collection.

In the petition, Guo, who also goes by Miles Kwok and Kwok Ho Wan, claims that his debts are not consumer or business-related, rather litigation expenses, claims and judgments. His legal issues are rooted in a $30 million loan from the Pacific Alliance Asia Opportunity Fund that was never repaid.

Last week, a judge ruled that Guo had five days to pay a fine after arranging for a yacht to move out of the U.S. to the Bahamas despite a court order requiring that it remain in New York. Guo claims he doesnt own the yacht, but if he didnt pay the fine in time, hed risk being arrested.

I was given only five days after the verdict came out [to pay the fine], Guo said in a video posted on GETTR, a social media site that he funds and is run by allies of former President Donald Trump. How could I possibly accept this? Thus I have to apply for personal bankruptcy.

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Exiled Chinese billionaire and Steve Bannon financier files for bankruptcy - Politico

NASSAU, BAHAMAS For the third year in a row, the National Family Island Regatta has been canceled due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

We know that it hurts, but we are all reminded that this too shall pass and we will get through this together.

Danny Strachan, committee chairman

Its cancellation was confirmed in a statement by National Family Island Regatta Committee Chairman Danny Strachan, who said the committee has already notified Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting, who is the minister responsible for regattas.

Once again, the National Family Island Regatta Committee reviewed available options, Strachan said.

Cancellation is in the best interest [for] all of us. The continuing uncertainty of the pandemic requires this.

He added: We do not wish to unintentionally encourage any regatta-specific expenditure by sloop owners, sailors, vendors, businesses, community organizations, magazine advertisers and sponsors.

Nor do we wish to encourage hotels and other room rental facilities to hold their facilities for regatta-goers.

We know that it hurts, but we are all reminded that this too shall pass and we will get through this together.

Strachan expressed stakeholders optimism for future options for staging a meaningful and safe regatta when national and international circumstances will permit us to appropriately gather.

Hopefully, we will stage the event next year after we all would have spent yet another year recovering from the pandemic, he said.

We will recuperate and grow from strength to strength. Thank you. God bless The Bahamas.

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THREE FOR THREE: Regatta canceled yet again as pandemic rages on - EyeWitness News

Ministry of Education urging parents to bring their students back to school11% of public school enrollment still has not accessed learning platform

NASSAU, BAHAMAS More than 800 public school students who were missing from classes throughout the pandemic have been located as the education recovery task force continues its work to close the education gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry of Education Research and Planning section initially identified 8,000 students who were inactive on the virtual learning platform.

These included both high school and primary school students.

There were concerns among educators and government officials that those students would fall through the cracks and it would remain challenging to get them back on course.

The lists of names were sent schools, which then cross-referenced whether those students had been active on other platforms being used by teachers.

Additionally, some students did not have access to electricity, the internet or devices but who were picking up physical materials directly from the school, which was also cross-referenced.

Once those students were identified, the number of students unaccounted for was cut down by half.

As of the week of January 17, the Ministry of Education could not account for some 4,513 students, which represents some 11 percent of public school enrollment.

The Ministry of Education Research and Planning task force identified and located 843 of those 4,000 students, went to their homes and spoke to their parents to find out the issues.

The group then provided recommendations, follow-up actions and additional support through agencies such as the Department of Social Services.

Some students also returned to school when face-to-face learning was restarted this year. The number of such students isstill being compiled by the Ministry of Educations Research and Planning section.

The first walkabout conducted by the task force occurred in Freetown, which saw the highest percentage of students missing from school with 19 percent of students missing during the pandemic.

The southern New Providence district, which includes schools such as Anatol Rodgers, CV Bethel and AF Adderley, also saw large numbers of students missing.

With schools continually updating their data with the ministry, the expectation is for those numbers to continue to dwindle.

Once students are identified and return to the classroom, they will be given a diagnostic review for education officials and teachers to understand the extent of learning loss from being out of school.

The ministry is also compiling data on students who were scheduled to graduate during that time period to provide assistance on additional options at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) and the National Training Agency (NTA).

While the task forces work continues, the Ministry of Education is urging parents who may have students who have not attended virtual classes or have not been registered to bring them in no matter the problems they may be having.

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EDUCATION RECOVERY UNDERWAY: 800 absentee students returned to classrooms; another 4500 to go - EyeWitness News

Ongoing COVID-19 viral pandemic in the Bahamas

The COVID-19 pandemic in the Bahamas is part of the COVID-19 pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).[3] The outbreak was identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019,[4] declared to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020,[5] and recognised as a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020.[6] It was confirmed to have reached the Bahamas on 15 March 2020 with the announcement of the first case.[1]

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).[7] The case fatality rate for COVID-19 has been much lower than for other coronavirus respiratory infections such as SARS and MERS, but the transmission has been significantly greater, with a significant total death toll.[8][9]

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COVID-19 pandemic in the Bahamas - Wikipedia

NASSAU, BAHAMAS One Young World, the global forum that connects the worlds most impactful young leaders, will hold its first-ever Bahamas caucus, entitled Climate Action: Roadmap to Climate Recovery in the Caribbean, at the University of The Bahamas on February 17, 2022.

The hybrid event is co-sponsored by the Office of the Prime Minister and the University of the Bahamas.

Shanaye Smith, One Young World ambassador, Bahamas, said: One Young World appreciates that Prime Minister [Philip Brave] Davis recognized the importance of strengthening and deepening international partnerships in fighting climate change.

Late last year, he addressed some of the Caribbeans One Young World ambassadors and invited them to host an event here.

Its fitting that this caucus will address climate change mitigation as The Bahamas, being a small island developing state, is one of the most vulnerable nations to the effects of climate change.

The climate action caucus aims to facilitate collaboration surrounding climate change mitigation with international stakeholders.

The one-day event will bring together One Young World ambassadors and Bahamian climate leaders to connect, collaborate and share key strategies that can be implemented in The Bahamas and Caribbean to diminish the effects of climate change.

Established in 2009, One Young World connects the youngest and most talented people, ensuring that their concerns, opinions and solutions are heard and considered by those in power.

Their annual One Young World Summit brings together the brightest young talent from every country and sector, working to accelerate social impact.

Each year, delegates from more than 190 countries are counseled by influential political, business and humanitarian leaders such as Justin Trudeau, Paul Polman and Meghan Markle, amongst many other global figures.

Davis will be the keynote speaker at the Bahamas caucus. He will also be joined by One Young World Co-founder David Jones.

To register to attend virtually, visit oneyoungworld.com.

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One Young World to hold first-ever Bahamas caucus on February 17 - EyeWitness News

FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg met with Junkanoo leaders on Grand Bahama on Saturday, February 12, to hear their concerns and to see how best he could address those concerns and work together to take Junkanoo to a whole new level.

Leaders from all of the Junkanoo groups on the island were in attendance.

Bowleg pointed out that he was not sure if Grand Bahama had set up a board, but said the Cabinet appointed a board because Grand Bahama was taking too long to do so.

However, one of the things Bowleg said he wanted to correct right away was the issue of having two Junkanoo committees, a practice that had taken place in the past.

That cant happen, because were one Bahamas, explained Bowleg.

To me, it makes no sense to have a national committee in Grand Bahama and a national committee in Nassau. Were not two separate countries. So, I did away with that right away.

There is only one National Junkanoo Committee and Grand Bahama has its representative on that committee, which is supposed to be your chair and two others.

The local Junkanoo leaders said they were awaiting the legal work to establish their committee and promised Bowleg they would deal with the issue as early as this coming week.

Speaking on behalf of the entire body of Junkanoo groups on Grand Bahama was Thomas Curry Jr, leader of the Platinum Knights Junkanoo group, who presented the minister with a list of concerns expressed by all in Grand Bahama.

Among that list of concerns was the issue of a virtual Junkanoo parade and the fear that the event would not happen for the Grand Bahamian groups.

However, Bowleg informed them that in the last conversation he had with the director of culture, she was waiting on Grand Bahama to give her a date to have the virtual Junkanoo recorded.

There was also the issue of seed-funding for Junkanoo on Grand Bahama. It was pointed out that because the economy on Grand Bahama is struggling, trying to find funding and sponsorship for a Junkanoo parade is almost impossible.

Local groups are hoping to get more funding from the government through seed funding, with Bowleg directing them to provide something in writing that he can present to Cabinet in that regard.

Groups also expressed concern aboutfair assessment of groups from Grand Bahama when it comes to Junkanoo groups representing The Bahamas on an international stage.

Curry said he would like to see some Junkanooers from Grand Bahama have the opportunity to travel abroad with a national group to perform.

In fact, the leaders on Grand Bahama would like to be able to perform on Bay Street so that the Junkanoo groups on the island can gain the respect of their peers in Nassau.

Minister Bowleg agreed and suggested future possibilities along that line, but said Grand Bahama establishing a committee should come first.

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Culture minister meets with Grand Bahama Junkanoo leaders to hear their concerns - EyeWitness News

Sweeting maintains nothing gets done as well as meeting people face-to-faceMinister to lead delegation of 19 representatives and officials

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting will bring remarks at the inaugural Food for Summit and Expo in Dubai from February 23-24.

Minister of Environment and Climate Change HE Miriam Al Mheiri of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who also has responsibility for agriculture, invited the minister to speak and participate in a world leadership panel on food security.

The summit and expo is expected to bring together over 100 countries that have a focus on food security.

It is being hosted in conjunction with United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The event is a part of Food, Agriculture and Livelihoods week at World Expo 2020.

We want to mix with persons not just across the world but with persons who have intimate knowledge on how we can modernize the industry.

Minister of Agriculture Clay Sweeting

The minister is expected to lead a delegation of 19 people from various departments in his portfolio, including the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA), Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), Bahamas Agricultural Industrial Corporation (BAIC), the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Marine Resources, among other ministry officials.

We are looking to gain a lot of knowledge and interact and hopefully explore the possibilities where we can work along with other governments to aid in our fight for food security, Sweeting said.

We want to mix with persons not just across the world but with persons who have intimate knowledge on how we can modernize the industry, see technological advances in the sector and to really network with persons that have beaten the challenges of food security.

We have a challenge with technology, modernization and getting persons involved in the sector.

Weve seen that a lot of farmers are of age and the transfer of knowledge is not happening. Weve missed a generation or possibly two.

We are looking at engaging younger persons and finding ways for them to become successful farmers.

Sweeting also highlighted the worlds challenge of rapid inflation of worldwide prices.

A global challenge right now is pricing and small countries such as The Bahamas are significantly impacted, more than larger countries, he said.

I think it is important that we grow where we live and that is one of the major challenges. So, if we are able to grow here in The Bahamas, then we are able to fight this global challenge of food shortage and the cost of food as well.

Sweeting said he is eager to foster relationships with other countries for food security.

Nothing gets done as well as meeting people face-to-face. We are growing relationships with people across the world in the sector and you are able to have some hands-on technology training and some hands-on knowledge of what we can do, he said.

Israel has done a wonderful job of providing food for their people. Dubai is in the middle of the desert and they are doing pretty well there, and so, we are hoping to find some way to bring that technology home.

He also said the ministry is working feverishly to execute a national food strategy.

We are working on it now and looking for something that would last long-term, he said.

The Blueprint for Change has provided some linkage of what we are supposed to do there.

The National Development Plan from the Christie administration also provides a 20 to 30-year plan of what we are supposed to do in all sectors, inclusive of agriculture, and so, we are just building upon that.

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BACK TO DUBAI: Agriculture minister to speak at UAE summit this month - EyeWitness News