The Tribune

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

FOLLOWING the launch of a multi-million dollar development, Bimini will be "the best little resort destination island in the world," said Prime Minister Perry Christie.

During a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday, it was announced that Genting Malaysia will be partnering with RAV Bahamas to launch the $24 million Resorts World Bimini Bay.

Prime Minister Christie said this 10,000 sq ft luxury boutique casino at Bimini Bay, which is set to open by the end of the year, will provide sustainability for Bimini's economy.

With the hopes of creating some 1,000 jobs, he said the government and the developers are in discussions to ensure the people of Bimini benefit from the numerous opportunities that will result from this development.

Mr Christie said that there also will be significant infrastructural improvements in North and South Bimini.

Mr Christie said: "Their (Resorts World Genting) vast customer base, marketing clout and state-of-the art operations will have a very positive impact on Bimini Bay Resort and local economy, creating new construction and permanent operational jobs, as well as entrepreneurial opportunities for the Bahamas.

"The Public Treasury will also benefit from additional revenues, and the Government will work closely with the developers to ensure that the multiplier economic effect is felt throughout the island of Bimini."

RAV Bahamas chairman Gerardo Capo said "the resort is going to catapult the economy of Bimini, it is going to create jobs both direct and indirect and going to be of great benefit."

Mr Capo said this is just the beginning of many good things to come.

Building their first boutique resort outside of Asia, president of Resorts World Bimini Bay Dana Leibovitz said Bimini is a beautiful island that provides the perfect opportunity for the development, which is moving "full steam ahead."

Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said the government has already started discussions with three international airlines, Bahamasair and charter airlines about supplying additional airlift to Bimini, which will result in the expansion of the airport, including extending the runway to facilitate this growth.

He said the Gaming Board has also started training Bahamians to meet the needs of the new casino.

"The process has already begun, we are looking forward to this," said Mr Wilchcombe, "the people of Bimini are going to be excited about this and again Bimini will be the most recognised small destination island in the world."

Mr Wilchcombe said with the harbour dredging almost completed and a ferry service to Florida being put in place, the process to modernize the island has begun.

"All that we are doing will be to ensure that Bimini becomes a prize in the Bahamas as it is, it is already a gem now, but we have to make sure that Bimini maintains its greatness as well," he said. "So everything is going to be measured but we are going to make sure we provide the modern infrastructure that ensures we are presenting an island that has a tremendous history but also the modern facilities so people will get the level of comforts that they require."