Bahamas News

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has given the multi billion-dollar Ginn Sur Mer development –a major project negotiated by the Christie PLP – his seal of approval during his first official visit to one of Ginn’s luxury resorts.

“The developers had invited me to see some of their facilities in South Florida and I sought to combine a visit to their property with another visit I was making to Florida to make a speech, which I did,” the prime minister said in an exclusive interview with the Journal.

“I was impressed with their facility and I had lengthy discussions with Bobby Ginn, the chairman of the company. He updated me on what they are doing in Grand Bahama at West End and what they propose to do, their timelines.”

Last Thursday, Mr. Ginn took the prime minister and his delegation – which included National Security Minister Tommy Turnquest – on a familiarisation tour of the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Florida.

The prime minister was in Florida for the annual U.S.-CARICOM Conference on the Caribbean.

According to John Davies, senior vice president of Ginn, last week was the first time the prime minister toured one of Ginn’s property.

“It was great for the PM and his colleagues to be able to see the kind of product that the Ginn company has on the market and to understand the way we do business,” Mr. Davies said Monday.

“It was a very informative visit for both parties because we learned a little more about the thinking of the government, in terms of their position on development. They were able to learn more about the Ginn company and how we do business.”

In August, Mr. Ingraham announced that his government would honour the agreement struck between Ginn Resorts and the Progressive Liberal Party government.

His comments followed an hour-long presentation by Ginn principals on the proposed multi-billion dollar development for West End, Grand Bahama.

The development, pegged at an estimated $4.9 billion with the first stage to be completed within five to six years, includes a 4,400 condominium/hotel unit, 870 single family residential home sites, two championship golf courses and clubhouses, two large marinas, a private airport and casino, among other amenities.

Between Atlantis Phase III on Paradise Island, Baha Mar on Cable Beach and the Ginn Project in Grand Bahama, the PLP had said their government was responsible for ushering in the greatest boom in direct foreign investment this country has ever seen.

Mr. Ingraham told the Journal that he expects Ginn developers to produce a successful project in Freeport.

“It will be good for The Bahamas and for the West End community both in terms of jobs and in business and entrepreneurial activity for Bahamians,” he said.

Source: Bahama Journal