The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday urged the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) to study the potentoal for a “major” sand export market, while also calling for a sponging industry revival.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of BAIC’s new head office building, Mr Christie said any sand export industry needed to be focused on countries that are not tourism industry competitors.

“I was told, and I want BAIC to look at this, that whenever we made policy decisions about sand and the export of sand, that it was done on the premise that the sand regenerates in the Bahamas and we have enough to supply unlimited,” the Prime Minister said.

“We always thought it didn’t make policy sense to export sand to beautify the beaches in Florida. Countries further north that are not competitors are in need of sand for major industrial purposes.

“If we can create an export market for sand without there being a negative impact on the Bahamas, then there is a major potential export market. Your remit (chairman Arnold Forbes) under the Act enables you to put that to study, and make a determination on whether or not that can be a feasible exercise for you.”

Mr Christie also called for a policy commitment to revive the sponging industry in the Bahamas, and create more opportunities for Bahamians in that industry.

Mr Forbes said BAIC’s new headquarters at the Soldier Road Industrial Park will be a state-of-the-art green building - the first of its kind in any government ministry or corporation - equipped with solar power, solar lighting, energy efficient bulbs and solar street lighting.

“This Park, which for too long has been an eyesore in this community, will be transformed into a haven which will advance entrepreneurs who would like to start their own business,” Mr Forbes said.

“This park will be known for its fruit orchards, model vegetable gardens and its mariculture farm and tranquil green spaces. This park will be transformed into what was envisioned by the Act of Parliament in 1981 that brought to life the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation.”

Mr Forbes said the Corporation was “resolute” in its pursuit of establishing a well-trained and certified agricultural marketing unit, which will be groomedto international standards and ensure that homegrown Bahamian products are sold not when they are harvested, but are sold in the field while they grow.

“These are the first steps down the road to food security. We are committed to establishing a light industrial sector, which will ensure that our youth will have options other than our traditional career paths,” Mr Forbes said.

“This has already been started through the technical courses being offered through partnerships with BTVI and the private sector. Our renowned Handicraft Department will continue to evolve so that we can take advantage of our ever-growing tourism sector.”