THIS WEEK IN THE BAHAMAS BY ELCOTT COLEBY
THIS WEEK IN THE BAHAMAS (16 – 20 JANUARY 2017)
COMMENTARY BY ELCOTT G. COLEBY
Prime Minister Christie breaks ground on multi-million dollar cruise port
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie led a ministerial delegation to Ocean Cay on Monday to break ground on a multimillion dollar cruise destination, complete with a marina, a marine park, a Bahamian shopping village, an amphitheater, a sporting facility, rstaurants and a boutique hotel among other entertainment amenities. His delegation including Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis and Tourism Minister the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe were joined by Mr. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Cruises and developer.
Mediterranean Shipping Company, or MSC, is the fastest growing cruise line in the world; the world’s second largest container liner, and the world’s largest, privately- owned cruise company.
“Under its Heads of Agreement negotiated with the Bahamas Government” said Mr. Christie, “MSC will invest over $100 million to transform Ocean Cay into a world class cruise destination with facilities inclusive of a 20-room small hotel, Bahamian shopping village, amphitheater, restaurants, sporting and entertainment venues, spa, mega-yacht marina & ferry operation and marine reserve in a private port of call.”
MSC will also provide facilities for a Police Station, Customs and Immigration terminals and complimentary ferry passage to appointed members of law enforcement.
The Prime Minister also said that “MSC has made a commitment to Bahamian entrepreneurial development through the offer of financing of construction and equipment in respect of restaurants, retail shops, water sports, entertainment and attractions to be operated by Bahamians.”
Additionally, “MSC will also seek to maximize employment for Bahamians in the construction and management of this high-end development on Ocean Cay, (when) once completed, will have a built environment and commercial activity to support the employment of three hundred persons…” said Prime Minister Christie.
MSC has also committed to establishing a Seafarers Technical School in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
This cruise destination is projected to attract 369,000 passengers annually. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE…