Search
For Oil In Full Swing
March 2, 2004
Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Corporation, which
secured an oil exploration contract from the Bahamas government
last year, is actively exploring the ocean floor for likely
locations of oil deposits. The government is expected to receive
in excess of $4 million during the exploration stage of the
project. It was also agreed that if oil is discovered the government
would be given 18 percent of the revenue.
Under the terms and agreement, Kerr-McGee
would be allowed to drill in 6.5 million acres in water depths
ranging from 650ft to more than 7,000 ft, making it the first
venture that would explore in deep waters in The Bahamas.
Laker Airways Back
On Freeport Route
March 2, 2004 Laker Airways has restructured, rehired its
Bahamian workers and will begin twice-weekly service between
Fort Lauderdale and Freeport March 19, according to an airline
official. Laker Airways brought in nearly three million visitors
to Grand Bahama since the early 1990's and was the dominant
carrier for one third of the island's guests who traveled primarily
from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Knowles
and Nestor Win Marseille Title
March 1, 2004
 Bahamian
tennis ace Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor defeated the number
two seeds Martin Damm and Cyril Suk 7-5, 6-3 on Sunday to
win their first appearance in the $745,242 Open 13 in Marseille,
France.
With the win, Knowles now has 31 career
doubles titles, while Nestor has 33. Knowles finished last
year ranked eighth individually in doubles competition.
Majestic Tours Voted
Number One By Expedia.com
February 25, 2004
 Majestic
Tours, a family-operated business that coordinated the movement
of more than 300,000 visitors to The Bahamas last year, has
been named the world's best – the 2003 Transfer Company
of the Year by Expedia.com.
"It was quite an honour to be named
the number one transfer company in the whole world by Expedia.com,
which is considered the world's top online travel company," said
William Saunders, Majestic president and founder.
Abaco Club Well
On Its Way
February 24, 2004  The much- anticipated development of the
$200 million Abaco Club Resort and Golf Course at Winding Bay,
Abaco is well on
its way to meeting its end-of-year opening, according to developer,
Peter de Savary.
The resort and golf course, which stretches
out on some 500 winding acres just outside of Cherokee Sound,
Abaco, has already
created hundreds of jobs for Abaconains, Mr. de Savary said.
IDB Funds Urban Planning
February 19, 2004
The Bahamas Geographic Information System
Centre, which will assist with tasks like urban development
planning and monitoring the environment, is set to resume operations
following a $45,000 grant from the United Kingdom Trust Fund.
According to Director of Lands and Surveys
Tex Turnquest, the GIS will also be used to create line maps
of all the islands of The Bahamas; compile and analyse information
from telephone, water and electricity companies and collect
topographic information, like the contour and mass, of the
Bahama Islands.
New $2.2m Airstrip,
Roads For Rum Cay
February 19, 2004
A new $2.2 million airstrip capable of handling
Dash 8 aircraft will be officially opened at Rum Cay on Feb.
27, Works and Utilities Minister Bradley Roberts confirmed
on Wednesday.
To be known as the Port Nelson Airport, the
4500x100-foot airstrip will replace the 2300x30-foot private
airstrip in use for many years. Four miles of new roads are
also included in the contract price.
With the airstrip designed for future expansion
as required, it was also fenced to keep wild animals from straying
into the area, in addition to other security requirements.
PM Congratulated By
House Members
February 19, 2004
Congratulatory remarks were bestowed on Prime
Minister Perry Christie on Wednesday by members of the House
of Assembly for his appointment as one of Her Majesty's Privy
Councilors. This honour bestowed on Mr. Christie speaks well
of his character and the nation because of his accomplishments.
Finlayson Acquires
Solomon's Mines
February 19, 2004
 Associated
Bahamian Brewers and Distillers Ltd (ABDAB) has completed its
purchase of Solomon's Mines Ltd from its parent company, Solomon
Brothers Ltd. It was hoped that the merger would set a new
standard for Duty Free shopping in The Bahamas.
Mark Finlayson, managing director of ABDAB
said that following the completion of their acquisition of
Solomon's Mines, the ABDAB group had approximately 140 retail
locations in their portfolio.
Solomon's Mines represents exclusive luxury
goods lines such as Lalique, Ferragamo, Bally, Burbury, Lladro,
Swarovski, Hermes, Herend, Patek Phillipe, Breitling, Omega,
and Waterford, in addition to many others. Pinder Named Archbishop
To Become First Bahamian Head Of Catholic Church
February 18, 2004
 The
Most Rev. Patrick Pinder will become the first Bahamian Roman
Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau, to succeed the current archbishop,
Lawrence Burke, SJ, who is being transferred to Kingston,
Jamaica.
The new appointment marks yet another milestone
in the life and history of the Catholic Church in The Bahamas.
Colina Gets Approval For Canada
Life
February 12, 2004
 Regulators have granted Colina Insurance Company approval
to purchase Canada Life amid controversy and objections from
competitors, Prime Minister Perry Christie announced in the
House of Assembly Wednesday.
Mr. Christie also said that Colina at the time of application
was the only Bahamian-owned insurance company that satisfied
both the Canadian Insurance regulator and Bahamian insurance
regulator; and submitted an offer that was acceptable to Canada
Life.
Eleuthera GGYA Awards
February 11, 2004
Five participants at the Central Eleuthera High School, and
one from Harbour Island All Age School recently received the
Governor General's Youth Award (GGYA) Bronze Award.
The Award Programme started in Britain in
1956 and now operates in Africa, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean,
Europe, the Middle
East and North America under a variety of titles.
It is a comprehensive Programme of practical, cultural and
adventurous activities for use by agencies and individuals
with a concern for the development of young people no matter
what their background or personal circumstances.
To date, 5 million young people from over 100 countries have
taken part in the award programme, including The Bahamas.
Hilton GM Receives Cacique - Hotelier Of Year 2003 Award
February 11, 2004
 Michael Hooper, GM British Colonial Hilton Hotel, Nassau was
selected Bahamian Hotelier of the Year for 2003 at the Cacique
Awards Presentation last Friday.
"The Cacique Awards was initiated
to recognize the roles played by those individuals and organizations
whose performance
or products have consistently made a positive impact on the
quality and growth of tourism in the Bahamas."
Support Builds For Unified Bus System
February 11, 2004
A unified bus system is needed to ensure that jitneys arrive
and depart from designated bus stops at regularly scheduled
times. The system would require the formation of a bus owners'
corporation, which would oversee operation of the public bus
system.
The Association president said persons who do not currently
use the bus system could also benefit, as they may feel confident
enough to park their vehicles and travel by jitney. So doing
would alleviate the hassle of dealing with traffic and looking
for parking. Noting other advantages of the system, a unified
system operated by an owners' corporation could also help to
enhance government revenue collection.
Carifta Trials Set
February 11, 2004
The busiest year of the current Bahamas Association of Athletics
Association administration starts the Easter weekend with the
Carifta Games in Bermuda. All locally based athletes are required
to participate.
This is also a big year for the junior athletes as they have
a chance to compete in their first Olympic Games this summer
in Athens, Greece.
At Carifta they have a chance to qualify
for the CAC Junior Championships and then from there, the
World Junior Championships.
Sen. Bannister said depending on their performances over those
two meets, they will be invited to the Olympic training camp.
Big Davis Cup Win
February 9, 2004 Led by Mark Merklein, The Bahamas defeated
Puerto Rico 3-2 over the weekend on the Puerto Rican's home
turf. Despite the
Puerto Ricans putting up a fight, Merklein proved to strong
for the competition, winning both of his singles matches. He
and Bjorn Munroe teamed up to win the doubles competition.
Mark Merklein is the only professional tennis player the Bahamas
has besides Mark Knowles and this is the first victory the
Bahamas has had in Davis Cup since 1992 without Knowles.
Tourism Could Fuel Banking Boom
February 9, 2004 Marin Murbach, chairman of Finter Bank & Trust
Limited said the secret to growing the banking sector of
the Bahamas
could be to provide greater incentives for tourists to invest
here and open bank accounts.
"I think the key will come when you have the rest of
the world coming to The Bahamas on vacation and establishing
a banking account here because this is a desirable place," he
said. "People come here to visit the country and if you
can give good service they would do other business here.
They would have their banking account
here. They would invest here."
Market Wide Open For Commercial Fishing Ventures
February 9, 2004
Troi Ferguson, general manager of the Bahamas Agricultural
and Industrial Corporation, says the market is wide open for
more local fishermen to start commercial fishing ventures.
Agriculture officials are encouraging local fishermen to take
steps to expand their operations. By making longer trips, fishermen
would have bigger catches and stand to make more money, authorities
note.
For the large operators who run processing plants on New Providence,
business appears to be good. Wendell Reeburn, financial controller
at Paradise Fisheries, told the Bahama Journal that his company
exports a large scale of lobster to United States and European
markets.
Mr. Reeburn said that The Bahamas was ranked as the world's
second leading exporter of cold lobster tail in 2003.
Director of Fisheries Michael Braynen recognizes the potential
that exists for local fishermen to increase their business
operations. He pointed out that commercial fishing is done
at a very low level in The Bahamas. Mr. Braynen noted that
lobster and conch processing continues to be the to larger
export seafood products in the country.
Trade Unit To Be Established
February 6, 2004
 An effective trade unit, full understanding
of the economy, and a strategy for The Bahamas' level of
involvement are areas "critical" to
the country's participation in the various impending trading
blocs, Minister of Trade and Industry said Wednesday.
Addressing members of The Bahamas Chamber
of Commerce, Leslie Miller reiterated plans, subject to Cabinet
approval, to establish
a fully resourced Trade Unit in the Ministry of Trade and Industry
headed by a full time secretariat staffed with young individuals
who would act in the capacity of alternate negotiators. "These
would be the young professionals that would be responsible
for guiding the country through the globalisation process," Mr.
Miller said.
The Bahamas concurred with the decision by
other CARICOM Heads of State to use the Caribbean Regional
Negotiating Machinery
(CRNM) to negotiate on behalf of all CARICOM states.
A formal invitation was also extended
to the current president of the Chamber of Commerce, Winston
Rolle and executive director,
Philip Simon to sit as full members on the Trade commission.
Andros Health Centre Opens
February 6, 2004
 The Community Health Centre was officially opend in Souith
Andros Thursday. It is named for Miriam Green, a mid-wife who
served the community for 42 years.
The Centre houses a male and a female ward, a maternity ward,
an examination block, emergency room, x-ray machines, a dental
office and a pharmacy. It will serve a population of over 2000
clients of all ages and provide satellite service to the Bluff,
Mars Bay and Driggs Hill on a monthly basis.
He said the facility, constructed at a cost of $1.9 million
and sits on nine acres of land, will now fulfill its mission
of providing quality health care services to the people of
South Andros. Following the installation of the reverse osmosis
water system, furnishing and equipment, the clinic was unofficially
opened to serve the residents in September 2003.
Foreign Language Cadets Launched to Tap New Tourism Markets
February 4, 2004
 The Ministry of Tourism recently laid the groundwork for expanding
The Bahamas tourism reach to more Spanish and French speaking
tourists by enlisting 10 high school students as the Ministry's
first Foreign Language Cadets.
Foreign Language Cadets, selected through an extremely competitive
process, have already demonstrated high levels of ability in
foreign languages, Ministry officials pointed out. The 10 cadets
were the most skilled of 91 students from 16 secondary schools
that took part in a qualifying examination last month.
Now that the students have been selected as cadets, they must
work through the three-phase program that will prepare them
to be effective translators, interpreters, and tourism representatives.
In the first phase, students will attend weekly meetings conducted
completely in Spanish and French. After six weeks, they will
move into the second phase, consisting of a four-week internship
at a tourism-related establishment. Finally, in phase three,
the students will spend four weeks in Spanish or French-speaking
countries.
Fort Charlotte Gets A Facelift
February 4, 2004
 Thanks to grants and other donations, we were able to invest
more than $500,000, not only saving much of the internal structure
of rock and cedar, but transforming the fort into a much more
exciting tourist attraction with uniformed and trained tour
guides as well as the installation of a self-guided interactive
tour. We've added access ramps for the disabled, safety rails,
re-landscaped the grounds, added rest rooms for the public
and an administration office.
Constructed in 1789, Fort Charlotte was named after King George
III's consort -- was once the most expansive military post
protecting Nassau's western harbour. It was at Fort Charlotte
where the American and British flags were hoisted as the ruling
French flag was lowered and later it was the background of
the first hoisting of the Bahamian flag as the British flag
came down. Staff historians teamed up with an international
graphics display company to produce new exhibits and build
the audio display units positioned throughout the grounds.
The Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation board anticipates
that the changes to Fort Charlotte will trigger a boost in
visitor traffic to nearly a half million visitors by 2005/2006.
Cable Bahamas Testing New Tech
February 2, 2004
Cable Bahamas is currently undergoing a field trial of Fiber-to-the-Premise
technology using an FTTMaX platform by C-Cor.net Corp. a global
technology firm headquartered in Pennsylvania. The technology
would allow the company to extend its existing fiber infrastructure
directly to the home or office providing video and high-speed
Internet services as well as other telecommunication services.
During the testing phase, the company will examine the technology
in approximately 10 sites and has already completed the necessary
work in seven of these locations.
Mr. Foster further noted that Cable Bahamas engineers constantly
examine the industry looking for new technology that can leverage
the company's existing infrastructure.
Kerzner Reports Record Earnings
February 3, 2004
 Kerzner International reported record earnings from its Paradise
Island operations for the second consecutive year on Monday,
achieving gross revenue of $521 million in 2003. Fourth quarter
revenue for last year reached $116.9.
Speaking with company executives via a conference call, CEO
Butch Kerzner noted the impact of the organisation's Bahamas
operations in achieving Kerzner International's $71.5 million
net income for 2003.
Company executives proudly pointed out that those results
were achieved despite the resort's four-week closure in September
in order to start construction of the Ocean Club expansion.
In a company statement, Kerzner officials reaffirmed plans
to continue the Phase III expansion on Paradise Island.
Japan, Bahamas Bridge 'Cultural Divide'
February 2, 2004
Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan, Hiroshi
Sakurai, presented his letters of credence to Governor General
Dame Ivy Dumont on Thursday, expressing his emperor's wish
to further strengthen amicable relations between the two countries.
Since 1975, The Bahamas has enjoyed diplomatic ties with Japan.
During this period, The Bahamas and Japan have built a solid
relationship, based on trust and mutual respect in both the
bilateral and multilateral spheres.
Over the years, both The Bahamas and Japan have also made
remarkable strides in bridging the cultural and geographic
divide, as both countries have achieved a level of understanding,
friendship and cooperation.
Dame Ivy said The Bahamas continues to benefit greatly from
bilateral cooperation with Japan in such fields as trade and
tourism, science and technology, and by cultural exchanges.
Tourism To Launch Domestic Campaign
January 30, 2004
The Ministry of Tourism will launch
a domestic campaign in February under the theme, "Give more in 2004",
to involved Bahamians at all levels in improving the tourism
product.
To launch the campaign the Ministry
of Tourism has created a national theme song titled: "Give more in 2004",
which will begin airing on national airwaves beginning Feb.
1. The song, written and sung by Ian Williams with engineering
and production assistance by Jermaine Rolle and Michael Hoyt,
combines a pulsating Junkanoo beat coupled with the sounds
of steel drums producing a mixture of indigenous Bahamian flavour
with a splash of the Caribbean.
According to Mr. Wilchcombe, following the conference, his
ministry will make Abaco, Harbour Island and Exuma the immediate
focus.
Nassau Hotels See Room Rate & Occupancy
Rise
January 23, 2004
Major New Providence hotels achieved a 59.9% occupancy level
in December, a 4.9% improvement upon 2002, with the average
room rate up by $5.50 in comparison to the year-before period.
Tourism statistics show that, for December, the Bahamas received
419,348 arrivals, an 11.3 per cent increase over 2002 levels,
which stood at 376,740. Breaking that figure down, less than
half the total amount, 120,234, arrived in the Bahamas by air,
with cruise ship arrivals at 299,114, an increase of 11.9 per
cent over 2002.
New Providence saw a slight increase, 9.9 per cent, in total
visitor arrivals for December. Grand Bahama saw significant
increases in both air and sea arrivals. The Family Islands
also experienced steady growth - the top destinations in the
Family Islands for December for air arrivals were Marsh Harbour,
Abaco; North Eleuthera; Treasure Cay, Abaco; and San Salvador.
News compilation services provided
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