Business

Bahamas Economy Stable says Deputy Prime Minister

NASSAU, Bahamas – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Brent Symonette met with Oxford Business Group representatives for ‘The Report: Bahamas 2009’ to give an insight into the Bahamian economy in the face of a global recession.

“The Bahamian economy has felt the effects of the global financial crisis, with tourism and revenues from excise duties decreasing in recent months,” Mr. Symonette said.

In an interview in The Report: Bahamas 2009, published by Oxford Business Group (OBG), the highly acclaimed global publishing, research and consultancy firm, Mr. Symonette said there have been many layoffs across the tourism industry and that government services will be impacted by the reduced revenues collected from excise taxes.

Despite the downturn, he described economic indicators as stable and told OBG that foreign reserves are high. Additionally, he said in the 2009 fiscal year, the government plans projects in Grand Bahama and in Nassau, among other major capital investments.

Mr. Symonette also told OBG that The Bahamas hopes to better its relations with The People’s Republic of China particularly with regard to improving trade relations, investment and tourism links.

“Our largest investors in The Bahamas have a Chinese base and our relations with China are very important. It is certainly a growing power in the world so we need to position Grand Bahama as an international shipping port, a transhipment facility, and promote our financial services to China.”

The Report: The Bahamas 2009 will have an international distribution of 41,000 based on OBG’s existing subscriber base, and will be a complex guide to the many facets of The Bahamas, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, political landscape, banking and sectoral developments. Also with a separate focus on the Grand Bahama economy, it will be the most comprehensive intelligence review produced on the country.

Twenty-six per cent of its subscribers are in Europe, 24 per cent in Asia, 21 per cent in the Middle East and GCC countries, 19 per cent in North America, and six per cent in Africa. Twenty-seven per cent are financial institutions, 22 per cent in industry, 17 per cent in IT and telecommunications, 15 per cent in energy, and 15 per cent in real estate and construction.

The 180-page publication will contain the most extensive, independent and accurate intelligence available, and is produced by a team of OBG analysts based in Nassau for six months, who will conduct some 100 interviews with leading political and economic figures.

With sector overviews and analyses supported by a series of exclusive interviews with important political and business figures, it will provide an independent and authoritative look at The Bahamas economy.

Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic and political intelligence on the markets of The Caribbean, Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North and South Africa. Through its range of print and online products, OBG offers comprehensive and accurate analysis of political, macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance.

Written by a team of seasoned analysts, based on the ground for six months, the critically acclaimed series of economic, political and business reports have become the leading source of intelligence on the rapidly developing countries in the regions they cover. OBG’s online economic briefings provide up-to-date in-depth analysis on the issues that matter for thousands of subscribers worldwide. OBG’s consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms currently operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.

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