BAHAMAS- Government to launch RFP for the redevelopment of airports in the Family Islands

NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The Bahamas government says it will on March 1st launch several requests for proposals (RFP) for public-private partnerships (PPP) to redevelop several airports on the Family Islands.

Tourism, Investments, and Aviation Minister, Chester Cooper, addressing a pre-mid-year budget economic briefing, told the business community that progress is taking place regarding more than six billion US dollars in foreign direct investments, the majority of which are on Family Island.

“Regarding aviation, we have agreed on the Grand Bahama International Airport. Essentially, we’re just tying up loose ends, and there will be significant movement there shortly. On March 1st, we’ll launch an RFP for PPPs in several airports in the Family Islands, totaling more than US$500 million.

“Redeveloped airports in Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Bimini, and Long Island will mean new money, new jobs, and new growth for our islands that can work toward creating new economies. The bottom line is that tourism is extreme, and our economy is dynamic,” Cooper said.

He told the business community that those investments include hotels, marinas, real estate developments, renewable energy, and industrial and agri-business projects. He said they have US$660 million in products in New Providence, US$692 million in Grand Bahama, US$137 million in Eleuthera, US$685 million in Exuma, one billion US dollars in Abaco, and US$250 million in Long Island.

“These are real, tangible projects that are multimillion-dollar in scope, with proof of funds and set dates for commencement.

“Millions are spent with local professionals – lawyers, engineers, architects, and environmental specialists – even before the first shovel hits the ground. We have a shovel-ready program repackaging stalled projects of the past where the groundwork is done to speed up development, thus speeding up economic impact,” Cooper said.

“The level of interest in doing business in The Bahamas is unprecedented, and the message that the government is a willing and able facilitator is resounding worldwide. We’re dealing with projects by island and sector, and as I indicated, not everything is tourism-related,” he added.