The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE government is in the process of approving an application for a major agricultural enterprise in Grand Bahama that could significantly help to decrease the country’s dependency on food imports.

The Bahamas imports over $1bn worth of food every year and Prime Minister Perry Christie believes it would be the first major effort in addressing the food importation issue.

While in Grand Bahama on Monday, the Prime Minister revealed that an investor in the tourism industry has made an application to government for development of an agriculture production and processing venture.

“We are in the process of settling an application for a huge agriculture enterprise which has been promised for a long time,” he said.

“The only concern I have with the application in Grand Bahama for the agricultural enterprise is the amount of land that they want would be enough to feed the whole Bahamas, and I can’t allow that because we want to be able to use them to incentivise Bahamians to join them down here.”

Food security is a major concern as the Bahamas imports about 90 per cent of the food its consumes. Earlier this year, Godfrey Eneas, a consultant with the Ministry of Agriculture, expressed concerns about the food deficit issue and the country’s dependency on imports. He said the Bahamas can no longer depend on others to feed it.

Former Agriculture Minister Pierre Dupuch and Grand Bahama human rights activist Joseph Darville were staunch in their call for the development of the agriculture sector.

Mr Darville, who has been agitating for many years, had stressed that tremendous focus should be given to agriculture.

Mr Christie said the agriculture venture will also seek to produce processed foods for animals and fish and stressed that he is committed to bringing focus to the economy of Grand Bahama.

He noted that his government is trying to facilitate strong developments in the tourism sector in Grand Bahama.

“Negotiations are going on with Hutchison with respect to certain properties, and hopefully more developments will take place in the very near future with respect to hotel developments,” he said.

With respect to the closed Royal Oasis Resort, he said there have been some indications with regards to the resort property in Freeport. Mr Christie said that he has received strong indications for West End and the Old Bahama Bay Resort.

The Prime Minister also stated that government is about to execute a policy of encouragement for businesses in West and East Grand Bahama for duty free provisions. He said it will allow equal economic opportunities for businesses outside of the Freeport area.

Mr Christie also stated that they will be beginning the process of wrestling with the decision regarding real property tax. Exemption of real property taxes in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement expires in 2015.

“This is particularly important. I have already demonstrated the willingness to meet with partners in Grand Bahama and entering into a Memorandum of Understanding to roll back taxes in consideration of expansion of various industries, including the container port,” he said.