Free Flights To Boost Tourism
November 15, 2003

With the Bahamas experiencing a soft tourist market, the Ministry of Tourism has instituted a "companion flies free" promotion to stimulate the market. The offer is valid on new bookings to Nassau, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama and applies to two individuals booking a hotel package together.

Sheraton Grand Resort Named in Top 25 Caribbean/Atlantic Region Resorts
November 15, 2003

The Sheraton Grand Resort Paradise Island, the well-known 340-room resort in the heart of Paradise Island, has been named one of the Top 25 Resorts in the Caribbean/Atlantic region by Conde Nast Traveler magazine's 2003 Readers' Choice Awards.

Call For Dynamic Capital Market
November 6, 2003

Kenwood Kerr, manager of Investment Services at SG Hambros Bank and Trust (Bahamas) Ltd., told a Nassau business seminar audience that an efficient dynamic capital market is the best means for small businesses to access resources. Further the leading investment expert outlined that the solution is premised upon the establishment of such a market, even more attractive when combined with the Caribbean's allure.

Bahamas International Film Festival Officially Launches
November 3, 2003

BIFF officially announced the launch of the first Bahamas film festival to be held in December 2004. The organizers of the event include the Ministry of Tourism, US Airlines, Hard Rock Café, Leslie Vanderpool, and Bahamian filmmaker Cedric Scott. The organizers hope the event will become an annual occurence, with plans to screen 30 films over four days and expected to generate millions of dollars in revenue. International and local talent will be featured at the festival and will further expose The Bahamas as a filming destination.

10 Bahamians Honoured As Nation Builders
November 3, 2003

Ten Bahamians were recognized during the Seventh Annual Nation Builder Awards Ceremony mounted by the Ministry of Social Services and Community. Those honoured are Mrs. Jane Butler-Bethel, Mrs. Millie Bethel, Mr. Samuel Bethel, Mrs. Eunice Eleanor Davis, Mrs. Florestina Gibson, Mrs. Edith Adel Godet, Mrs. Freda Hall, Mrs. Adelaide Butler-Jones, Mr. Simeon Knowles and Ms. Olive Louise Smith. The awards, first presented in October 1997, go to those who have made contributions through religious or church-related activities, cultural exposure, education, business ventures, and community activities and in non-traditional fields.

Cancer-Killing Sponge Found Off Bahamas
October 29, 2003

Scientists from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution have discovered a sponge that reportedly can kill cancer cells. The sponge has recently been located in plentiful quantities off the Bahamas. The expedition team led by Dr. Amy Wright, director of Harbor Branch Biomedical Marine Research, reported the find which culminated almost 20 years of exploration.

A chemical produced by the yet unnamed sponge proved in initial testing to be 400 times more potent than Taxol, a widely used treatment for breast and other forms of cancer, according to Harbor Branch scientists. If the chemical continues to show promise, it will be licensed to a pharmaceutical company to undertake the process of turning the chemical into a commercially viable cancer treatment.

Kerzner International TV Show On ZNS
October 27, 2003

The Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island will soon be featured in a monthly news magazine show on ZNS TV called "Kerzner Today." The brainchild of Mr. Ed Fields, vice president of public affairs at Atlantis, the show will take a lively approach, focusing on the people and activities of Atlantis, Ocean Club and Harborside, as well as featuring Kerzner International's community involvement, organizational development and events.

New System Boosting Mobile Services
October 15, 2003

By the end of the year the Bahamas Telecommunications Company [BTC] will upgrade its cellular telephone capacity with the installation of a high tech Global System for Mobile Communications [GMS]. GMS is one of the leading cell phone technologies, first adopted in Europe and then rapidly spreading throughout Asia, Africa and the Pacific. To accommodate the upgrade, BTC has built an additional 22 cell and 15 co-located cell sites in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

Shipping Deal Expands Bahamas Ship Register
October 15, 2003

A $200 million acquisition by Nassau-based shipping company, The Clipper Group, is expected to provide a significant boost to The Bahamas ship registry and could also result in more training for Bahamians in the maritime industry. The Clipper Group is in the process of acquiring the Oregon-based Lasco Shipping Company and expects the acquisition to be complete by the end of November. The Bahamas is presently ranked third in the world for ship registration behind Panama and Liberia. The Bahamas Maritime Authority currently boasts about 1500 ships with gross tonnage of approximately 35 million on its register.

Atlantic's Greatest Diversity Of Fish Found Between Florida And The Bahamas
October 14, 2003
The Florida Straits — the waters shared by Florida, The Bahamas and Cuba — claim the single richest concentration of marine life in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the most complete survey of its kind ever conducted.

New Agenda For Contractors
October 9, 2003
Bahamas Contractors Association President Robert Myers told a luncheon meeting recently that the BCA wanted to license and regulate all trades in the construction industry.

BEC Upgrades Infrastructure
October 4, 2003
Several recent Family Island touristic developments have resulted in The Bahamas Electricity Corporation having to upgrade its existing infrastructure and in some instances, install new ones, said the Minister of Works and Utilities, Bradley Roberts on Thursday night.

Cruise Arrivals Increase By 4.7 Per Cent
October 02, 2003
Cruise ship arrivals for the entire bahamas were up 4.7 per cent of last year's comparative at August 31, statistics released by the Ministry of Tourism revealed yesterday, with just over two million passengers entering the country for the period.

Bahamas Credit Rating Sound
October 1, 2003
The Bahamas' economic outlook is stable but the Government's response to international regulatory initiatives and trade liberalization as it seeks World Trade Organization membership, could affect its future credit rating, according to Moody's Investor Service.

Moody's Issues Annual Report On The Bahamas
September 30, 2003
In its annual report on the Bahamas, Moody's Investors Service says the Caribbean country's investment-grade credit ratings are based on low external debt, a competitive tourism sector, and prudent macroeconomic management. The country's issuer rating for foreign currency debt and bonds and its foreign currency country ceiling are A3, its issuer rating for domestic bonds and debt is A3, and its off-shore banking sector country ceilings for foreign currency bonds and bank deposits are AAA.

Company Readies For Wireless Internet Use
September 29, 2003
Parliamentarians got a first-hand look on Friday of new Bahamas Telecommunications Company technology that will allow computer users to connect to the Internet wirelessly in designated "hot spots."

Ultra Modern Supermarket For Abaco
September 26, 2003
Marsh Harbour, Abaco – Opportunities are available for Bahamian farmers and entrepreneurs to market their goods and services at the new $5 million Solomon's SuperCenter which opened here on Saturday, Financial Services and Investments Minister Allyson Maynard-Gibson said.

Coastal Cleanup A Sweeping Success As Hundreds Of Volunteers Turn Out
September 26, 2003
Volunteers turned out in record numbers to participate in the US-based Ocean Conservancy's 18th annual International Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday. Coral Harbour beach, Jaws beach near Clifton Pier, and the Montagu foreshore were the three locations selected for attention by various volunteer groups.

RCCL appoints local port agent
September 24, 2003
Contributing more than $100 million to the Bahamian economy to date, and with the intention of eventually providing jobs to Bahamians, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines on Tuesday announced its partnership with Grand Bahama's Tanja Enterprises as its main port agent in The Bahamas.

$40 Million Club Med Deal
September 22, 2003
Kerzner International has agreed to buy the Club Mediterranee resort on Paradise Island for approximately $40 million.

H.G.Christie Ltd. Wins "Best Of The Bahamas" Web Awards
September 19, 2003
The Bahamas Web Awards is the first leading national honour for the Best among Bahamian Web sites.

BEC Rates To Dip
September 18, 2003
For the first time in the history of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, on Oct. 1, the cost of electricity will be reduced for its consumers in New Providence, Paradise Island and the Family Islands.

A Good Investment
September 18, 2003
Atlantis boss Sol Kerzner last week used the occasion of the groundbreaking for the $600 million Phase III expansion of his Paradise Island mega resort to highlight one of the main reasons The Bahamas has gained a reputation as being an excellent vacation destination.

Fast Ferry Services Freeport to Ft. Lauderdale
September 12, 2003
A Bahamian-owned cruise line will, for the first time, be providing scheduled international passenger service. Bahamas Florida Express will launch a ferry service between Freeport and Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 1, using a 320-foot high-speed catamaran.

Potters Cay Facelift Nears Completion
September 11, 2003
Potters Cay dock will soon become motorist-friendly at night with renovations to the busy inter-island terminal and open-air market nearly completed.

Four Seasons Hires 260 People At Job Fair
September 5, 2003
Four Seasons Great Exuma reported that 260 persons were hired from the job fair held in Nassau on Aug. 28 through 30.

Continental Plans New York-Freeport Flights
August 22, 2003
Continental Airlines plans nonstop service between Freeport and New York beginning Dec. 17.

Bahamas Offshore Allure 'Intact'
August 28, 2003
The Bahamas is still a stable environment for offshore financial business, according to Central Bank Governor Julian Francis.