The Tribune

OPPOSITION leader Dr Hubert Minnis vowed to work with the government in 2013 to improve the economy for the benefit of all Bahamians.

Dr Minnis said recent downgrades by credit rating agency Moody’s have raised alarming concerns about the international community’s lack of confidence in the new government’s ability to steer a prudent path to sustainable growth.

But, he said, “while the government might be failing, I can assure you that we in the FNM understand that we are all in this together.”

Delivering his New Year’s address, Dr Minnis pledged that the public can depend on a “responsible opposition” to do all it can to help steer the country back on course.

“There must be bi-partisan efforts made to correct the challenges of the past. We must learn from our mistakes, remove the party colours that blind our decisions and adopt the national colours that unite our people as One Bahamas,” he said.

“This is the time when many make resolutions and set personal goals for the upcoming year. It is time for the Bahamas to set its own goals to ensure we have the flexibility to stay competitive in the major industries like tourism and banking.

“However, more importantly, the Bahamas must not only set goals, but set policies to make these goals attainable – so that we can seriously develop, encourage, and nurture budding sectors of our economy.

“For without this injection of vitality, funding and direction from the government, these goals would be but a dream, and we as a nation would never realise the great potential these sectors harbour for growth and sustainability.”

Noting that Bahamians from all walks of life wish the best for their country, Dr Minnis called on the government to help empower as many citizens as possible.

He said: “It is an economic fact that when the middle class expands, the growth potential for the entire economy increases.

“I urge the government to do more to expand the middle class, not stagnate its earning potential. As more people move from employees to employers, there will be more spending in the economy; there will be more jobs available for those who seek employment.”

He said that when the Free National Movement left office last year, the country was on the path to a sustained economic recovery.

“Even as we went into the general election, we knew that after May 7, continuation of that recovery would require a wise combination of efforts to grow the economy and government income, while protecting consumer and investor confidences,” he said.

While 2012 was a difficult financial year for many citizens, Dr Minnis pointed out that unlike the Bahamas, many other nations “erupted in civil outrage” as their financial institutions and economies suffered.

Still, he said, many Bahamians were laid off and suffered great personal hardship.

“It dampens the spirit of the entire nation when so many suffer, but this unfortunate event causes many among us to realise their potential, as the basic human spirit of survival and achievement grows stronger in times of adversity,” he said.

“It is during these times that Bahamians show what they are made of. For it is this same spirit that would set the course for this upcoming year – you must show the government that you need a light, and you will find the path.”

Dr Minnis said this path must be created through government investment in infrastructure, education, science and technology.

“Business and government must work together to improve the economy of this great nation,” he added.