Bahamian
Cartoon Premiere
December 15, 2003
 The
Bahamas' first cartoon entitled "Cocomon and The Fruitytoons," created
by Bahamian animator Delano A. Johnson premiered December
15th. The response was tremendous, children were able to
identify with the distinctive Bahamian Cocomon character,
and local colloquialism were highlighted in the first of
the series," stated publicist Kathy Ingraham. "Cocomon
and the Fruitytoons" is centered around seven main fruit
characters from around the world, who are all a part of a
musical singing group. The Bahamas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico,
China and India, are just a few of the countries represented
by a fruit.
PM opens Four Seasons
Five-star resort in Great Exuma
December 15, 2003
 Prime
Minister Perry Christie cut the ribbon to mark the official
opening of the first Four Seasons Resort in The Bahamas.
The prime minister said the resort is bound to stimulate
the economy in the 120-mile-long island chain. He congratulated
the CEO of the resort, Kevin Clemente who, he said, would
face challenges operating a five-star facility on a Family
Island. "We have a wonderful democracy, one where a
government can change hands and be replaced and in so far
as the investors are concerned, their confidence remains
as solid as it was when they first conceived their idea.
That is kind of the country we live in." The prime minister
said the Exuma Cays have attracted some of the world's top
investors and he is committed to ensuring that people with
the capacity to work will share in the prosperity.
Isle of Capri Casino
opens
December 15, 2003
 The
Isle of Capri Casino at Our Lucaya was officially opened
on Monday with a prediction that it will be "a huge
benefit to Grand Bahama Island and The Bahamas." This
prediction was made by Mr. Jon Markoulis, president of Hutchison
Development, owners of the property, who noted that Isle
of Capri's "corporate culture is a type of attitude
that we want to see here, and I know they also are going
to make money in addition to contributing to the local community." "This
is going to be one of the biggest benefits for tourism to
happen here in Grand Bahama for a long time," said Mr.
Markoulis.
New BAIC Chairman
December 14, 2003
 Michael
Halkitis, the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of
State for Finance and the Member of Parliament for Adelaide
is the new Chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural Industrial
Corporation. The Corporation has now been switched to the
portfolio of the Minister of Finance and James Smith, the
Minister of State will have direct Ministerial responsibility
for the Corporation.
Oceanic Bank And
Trust Expands Freeport Office
December 11, 2003
 Oceanic
Bank and Trust Limited recently expanded its office in Freeport
so as to better service its existing clients and to play
an important part in developing the unlimited potential of
Grand Bahama Island. Oceanic's services are based on creating
a one-stop shop for wealth management services, which includes
investment advice and brokerage, trust and corporate services,
executorship, mutual fund administration, general financial
and legal service, as well as accounting services.
Millennium Mall Opens
December 11, 2003
Pat and Max Sweeting saw a long time dream
become reality Tuesday afternoon, at the official opening
of their business complex, Millennium Mall, West Atlantic
Drive. Family and friends joined members of corporate Grand
Bahama in welcoming the newest entrepreneurs who will contribute
to the development of Grand Bahama's economy. "It has
been proven that economic development can be stimulated through
small business development, and it is the aim of the government
to empower Bahamians to be small business owners," said
Marco City's Member of Parliament, Pleasant Bridgewater.
TIEA Will 'Boost Tourism'
December 11, 2003
Enactment of a Tax Information Exchange
Agreement (TIEA) Bill will help to boost the tourism industry
by allowing United States taxpayers to deduct Bahamian convention
expenses from their taxes, parliamentarians heard Wednesday.
Qualified Jurisdiction status is also important to the many
resort properties in The Bahamas as it would also make the
country a more attractive convention destination.
Rotary Brings Christmas Joy To Special
Children
December 11, 2003
The Rotary Club of Lucaya has sponsored
Christmas for the Beacon students for eight consecutive years,
throwing a party at the school and providing a Christmas
tree over the years. The school is a special education facility
which caters to children from age six through to 18 with
special needs, including those who are autistic, learning & mentally
disabled and orthopaedically impaired. Principal Cheryl Wood
said the Rotary Club has made a lasting impression on the
children and given them many a memorable Christmas. Wood
said the school appreciates the Rotary Club of Lucaya's commitment
to the programme and for bringing joy to the students.
Junkanoo
December 11, 2003
Junkanoo, the premiere cultural expression
of Bahamians, traces its origin to 18th Century Africa.The
festival really came of age in the 1920s when it was taken
to Bay Street and comprised competitive groups. It was then
that the Bahamas Development Board, which evolved to today's
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, started promoting it as a "tourist
attraction." It was in the 1950s that the festival became
more organized with an increase in the number of groups and
the inclusion of more competitive categories. In junkanoo
circles, it is often said, "winning is not everything
- just being there, rocking to the beat and admiring the
colourful costumes, is well worth getting out of bed at 2
a.m. and heading to Bay Street, two days per year."
Tourism Launches 'Jump' Campaign
November 27, 2003
Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe on
Wednesday unveiled a five million dollar promotional campaign, "Island
Hopping", aimed at repositioning The Bahamas as a more
competitive destination. In addition to the slogan, a new
logo will also be used to identify the islands of The Bahamas.
The Ministry of Tourism has also gotten a commitment from
the private sector to display the logo in all future promotions
and advertisements. Another important aspect of the new campaign
will be the new website Bahamas.com, which is currently up
and will bring The Bahamas to life onscreen.
Massive Developments For Family Islands
Announced
November 25, 2003
According to the prime minister, the economic
development plan of the Progressive Liberal Party, calls
for the establishment of an anchor resort or major commercial
project in each island of The Bahamas, which, in addition
to providing the main source of direct employment, will produce
spin-offs to positively impact the local economy on a sustained
basis. The prime minister also announced that the Government
will have signed Heads of Agreement for new or expanded projects
representing investments in excess of three billion dollars,
with the potential to create in excess of 8,000 new, direct
jobs and twice that number of jobs when spin-off entrepreneurial
opportunities are factored in.
Hall Of Fame Tribute
November 24, 2003
 The
National Hall of Fame Banquet honored 2003 inductees who
included Charlie Major Sr., Betty Cole, Leonard 'Boston Blackie'
Miller, Tony Curry, Vincent Ferguson, Lou Adderley, Kingsley
Poitier, Mychal Thompson, Roderick Simms, Sloane Farrington,
Robert Symonette and Jack Sands. These sports competitors
are the most outstanding contributors to their sport and,
in addition, behave in a dignified manner exemplifying the
true essence of what sports is really supposed to be mostly
about - building good characters and bodies.
Emerald Bay Opens
November 24, 2003
The Four Seasons Emerald Bay Resort at
Great Exuma, opened on November 22nd. The 219-room, spaciously
designed resort, includes an 18-hole golf course, tennis
courts, a fitness centre, a full service spa, two large swimming
pools, a children's play pool, scuba diving and snorkeling
services, a casino, restaurants, shops and a lounge. Emerald
Bay is a $300 million investment and is expected to bring
much-needed revenue to Exuma' economy.
Bahamas-Based Ecologist Named Top
Scientist
November 24, 2003
Earthwatch Institute, the Massachusetts-based
conservation organization, has picked Dr. Kathleen Sullivan
Sealey as Scientist Of The Year. Dr Sullivan Sealey, who
lives in Nassau and is married to Bahamian geographer Neil
Sealey is a professor of marine biology at the University
of Miami. Dr Sullivan Sealey has more than 20 years experience
working in the Caribbean and is the principal investigator
of the Earthwatch-supported Coastal Ecology of the Bahamas
project, and was recognized for her unique contributions
to science and sustainability.
NIA To Be Renamed After Former PM
November 24, 2003
The government intends to take the advice
of the National Cultural Commission and rename the Nassau
International Airport the Lynden Pindling International Airport
as a posthumous honour to the man who is widely acclaimed
as the Father of the Nation. It's a way to keep the name
and memory of the former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling
alive, according to Prime Minister Perry Christie. Sir Lynden
was a champion of the black masses, becoming instrumental
in the struggle for majority rule and ultimately wresting
control of the government from the white minority.
Economy 'Stabilised'
November 21, 2003
 The
government has been "faithful" to its mandate by
stabilising the Bahamian economy. Minister of State for Finance,
Senator James Smith, provided an overview on the state of
the economy over the past 18 months, and said: "We have
been able to contain the deficit up to now as a result of
continued monetary and fiscal restraints." He added
that The Bahamas' external reserve funds totaled approximately
$535 million at the end of August, 2003, compared to $451
million over the same period last year. Additionally, Senator
Smith said the fiscal deficit for the first three months
of fiscal year 2003/04 has narrowed to $39 million, as compared
with $76 million over the same period last year.
News compilation services provided
by BahamaSource
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