Local economic growth focus of Port chiefs

 
President of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Ian Rolle, addressed several vital points relating to Grand Bahama’s economic growth, during his presentation to the audience attending the 2015 Grand Bahama Business Outlook, Thursday, March 5 at the Grand Lucayan Resort.

The growth of Grand Bahama Island’s population by creating Critical Mass; focus on the further development of cruise and tourism industry and increasing the permanent residence on the island, were three critical views shared by Rolle.

The president also touched on the need for ne Immigration Policies for Grand Bahama Island.

» In 2014 our population was about 55k. GBPA’s goal is to cause 10k more persons to live here within the next 10 years,»  Rolle added.

» However, we need new immigration policies that would allow persons to be granted economic residence status (i.e. giving them the right to work in their own business) within 30-60 days of purchasing a 500K or above residence or business.

» We should also consider granting that same right to direct family members, but this can only happen with government’s assistance,»  stated Rolle.

The GBPA president also addressed another challenge facing the Grand Bahama residents, electricity, suggesting a possible power solution for the country.

Pointing to a photograph, Rolle said, â The image represents an undersea cable connecting Grand Bahama and New Providence to the power grid in the US (which is the most stable grid in the world). The company called NextEra has confirmed that this is a feasible project, and a proposal has been presented to the Government of The Bahamas.

Rolle revealed that NextEra Energy is North America’s top producer of energy from the wind and the sun, with a greenhouse gas emissions rate among the lowest of any large power company.

NextEra Energy, Inc. remains focused on its goal of becoming North Americaâ s leading provider of clean energy. Subsidiary Florida Power and Light Company continues to build Florida’s clean­ energy future, and is planning for solar power to play an increasing role in Florida’s energy mix.

» NextEra is committed to install this undersea cable at no up front cost to the government of The Bahamas,»  Rolle maintained.

In her remarks, vice chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Sarah St. George said, «We have a perfect storm in the good sense of the word, with the wind at our back – the US economy growing at the highest percentage in 10 years; interest rates still at their lowest in decades and oil prices at 50 percent less than in 2013. Tourism is robust. To achieve more investment and growth, the time to strike is now! The concession clock is ticking.»

The Freeport News 