By NATARIO McKENZIE
Tribune Business Reporter
nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
RESORTS WORLD Genting is taking over the operations of the entire Bimini Bay Resort in addition to operating its $24 million luxury boutique casino, Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed yesterday.
During his wrap-up to the Government’s Mid-Year Budget, the Prime Minister said: “I am pleased to confirm that in addition to having the casino building completed and opened for business by the time I present the annual Budget to parliament in May of this year, Resort World is taking over the operations of the Bimini Bay Resort itself.
“They have plans for further development of the resort and the use and preservation of surrounding attractions, all to be integrated with the traditional appeal of the Bimini community.”
Mr Christie added: “The company is making an investment of $100 million in acquiring a high -peed luxury ship and a jet aircraft to provide daily sea and air transportation into Bimini. This will necessitate the earlier expansion and improvement of docking and airport facilities, as well as other infrastructure at Bimini.
“Resorts World has agreed to partner with the Government in these undertakings, in the beautification and in the retention of leading consultants working with local experts and the community in the preparation of the master plan to guide the only integrated development of the entire north and south Bimini.” Mr Christie noted that over the next year, beginning with the opening of the casino in June, 400 direct jobs should be created.
It was announced last year that Resorts World Genting had partnered with RAV Bahamas to open a $24 million 10,000 square foot luxury boutique casino at the Bimini Bay Resort and Marina. Resorts World Genting falls under Genting Malaysia Berhad, part of the multinational Genting Group, a consortium of companies with significant market exposure in Asia.
Prime Minister Christie also noted that Brookfield Asset Management, the Atlantis owner, was looking to acquire and move ahead with the Hurricane Hole Marina renovation and upgrade project on Paradise Island.
Comments
BiminiHomeowner 11 years, 1 month ago
I wonder if the people on Bimini have any say in this "Master Plan", or has PM Christie just sold the island?
JoeBruce 10 years, 9 months ago
The Bimini people are mainly all in favor of the Resorts World Bimini project. It's their only potential employer. There are no other jobs on the island except for the ones that Genting are providing.
BiminiHomeowner 10 years, 8 months ago
How can you be so wrong? Have you ever been to Bimini?
Ever heard of the Bimini Big Game Club, Bimini Sands Resort & Marina, SeaCrest Hotel, Bimini Blue Water Resort, Weech's, Brown's, Thirsty Turtle Yacht Club? Every heard of Bonefishing? Ever been to the Craft Centre? I could go on...
You literally have no idea what you're talking about.
katysmith80 11 years, 1 month ago
This is excellent news. Genting is a solid, reputable gaming operator. They have licenses in Singapore, Macau, and even NY. Another Resort World will only add to their credibility. Go Genting!
klsum13 11 years, 1 month ago
At no point in the development of Bimini Bay has what's best for the natural environment that serves as the foundation of Bimini's tourism been taken into consideration. I lived in Bimini for several years and documented many abuses. Even the developer's own contractor hired to do a project assessment at the previous government's request found egregious violations, including the inability to show permits for most of their dredge and fill activities. The Genting Group is at the center of a similar mockery of what the people of Miami want for their waterfront. If the Government of the Bahamas REALLY has its peoples best interests in mind, it should LISTEN to them. Dozens and dozens of emails from Biminites and beyond have been sent directly to members of government through the Bimini Blue Coalition, pleading for the finalization of the long-promised North Bimini Marine Reserve and the end to Bimini Bay's unsustainable development. LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE!
http://thetribune.media.clients.ellin...">Dredge and fill dumped into an important conch, lobster and fish nursery with no mitigation to prevent complete smothering of crucial habitat (March 2010). by klsum13
beebeelinda 11 years, 1 month ago
The competition that will be created from Genting building a new resort in Bimini will force the issue of allowing Genting to build a casino in Miami
john33xyz 11 years, 1 month ago
I agree with beebeelinda. It sounds like a ruse to gain approval for their Miami operation. That is why they are investing NOTHING in Bimini. The PM says they have a $100 million investment of a high-speed cruise ship and a jet aircraft to bring persons to Bimini? REALLY? Has he seen the bill-of-sale (or other sales documents) that prove they recently purchased these vehicles? - or have they owned them for years and now that they are "allocating them" to use in Bimini it gets called an investment. Do "WE" own them? No. They belong to the company.
Then the PM says that this amazing "investment" now necessitates us to more quickly improve our docking and airport facilities in Bimini. Does this mean we have to borrow more money from the IMF to do this and put our grandchildren deeper in debt? He says they will "partner" with the government in this. Really? By what percentage? Or are they going to lend us the money and then we are in debt to them instead of the IMF.
400 jobs? Really? What kind of jobs? Maids, gardeners, window washers, dish washers, baby sitters, dock hands, gas pumpers? General lackies I am sure, and probably 90% under work permits (that's probably why Hon. Fred Mitchel is holding off for one year on permit system changes - so these guys can get all the gardeners and dish washers they need grandfathered in).
That's all we ever get. A kick in the rear end. But then maybe we deserve it because we keep re-electing the same morons. This year is our 40th anniversary of "independence" and in ALL that time we have only had 3 prime ministers. 40 divided by 5 years is 8 - so we should have had 8 prime ministers if we had the good sense to change them each time.
So either there is a monopoly or other hanky panky involved in our election system (we know ballots are numbered right on the ballot itself), or there have only been 3 persons in the entire Bahamas over 40 years with the intelligence to be PM. Are we as a people that lacking in intelligent persons among our populace? While I don't think so - some days I honestly wonder.
concernedcitizen 11 years, 1 month ago
DUDE THERE ARE ALWAYS MORE WORKERS THAN OWNERS , IF EVERYONE OWNED A BUSINESS WHO WOULD THE CUSTOMERS BE ?? MAYBE YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO THE DAYS OF US BUILDING HOTELS ,,THE AMBASSODOR BEACH ,,WHERE EVERY CONNECTED PERSON CAN EAT AND SLEEP W/ THEIR SWEETHEART FREE ,,THEN LATER WE CAN SELL THE HOTEL FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR
JoeBruce 10 years, 9 months ago
We finally have a responsible government in place that is helping other companies make investments in our country that will crete jobs and provide taxes for all of us. The naysayers must be from other Bahamian resorts.
JoeBruce 10 years, 9 months ago
Genting has invested over $25 million in the resort, $100 million on a ferry, $150 million on new hotels and they are also starting an airline. They will be investing close to a half a billion dollars on the island. No other company is investing in the Bahamas right now. Genting is the biggest worldwide developer of destination resorts. They will put Bimini, and the bahamas and the map for all the world to finally find. We're only 45 miles from Miami and the Resorts World Superfast ferry only costs $49. Bimini residents can now travel to the U.S. cheaply and fast.
JoeBruce 10 years, 8 months ago
Bimini was a bust town until Genting came in and rebuilt the entire infrastructure.
The Bahamian government should have improved the island but Resorts World Bimini put up the money and manpower - and now it’s done - for everyone to use and enjoy.
South Floridians now have another good weekend getaway to go to that is cheap and easy to access.
Life is good living in Miami.
BiminiHomeowner 10 years, 8 months ago
Please stay in Miami. You are clueless when it comes to Bimini.
Bimini is one of the few Out Islands whose tourism industry has been GROWING in recent years (before Genting was involved).
I don't know how someone can have a computer, and still be so clueless about what's going on.
Envirotech 10 years, 8 months ago
Walt Disney should learn from Genting. I’ve been to all of the Disney parks and now I have been to a Genting property. WOW. There is a big difference. Genting is luxurious and inexpensive but Disney is very expensive and not very luxurious.
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