The Progressive Liberal Party enthusiastically congratulates Prime Minister, The Rt. Honourable Perry G. Christie, and his Cabinet for the exceptional diligence, stellar performance and for its guidance with the Baha Mar Development Limited and Mr. Philip J. Ruffin, owner of the Nassau Beach Hotel and the Wyndham Crystal Palace Resort and Casino in reaching a new agreement for a $1.2 billion mega resort at Cable Beach. This deal, once it is crystallized, will go to the overall transformation of the Cable Beach strip and will no doubt herald a new day in the national tourism product of The Bahamas.

The PLP is also saluting the Prime Minister and his Cabinet for its due diligence and performance in reaching a satisfactory arrangement with Kerzner International as Phase 111 of the Atlantis extension has precipitated a Job Fair (to be held on April 5th thru 7th) in conjunction with the Department of Labour. The PLP calls on all Bahamians to actively participate in this Job Fair and Contractors Pre-qualification Forum.

The PLP has every reason to be proud of the numerous accomplishments of this administration and we are excited about the thousands of job opportunities, the provision for young Bahamians to excel in quality careers and vocations and oiling of the domestic investment entrepreneurial interests.
 
As the Party approaches its third year in office and the country continues to ride the crest of a new economic boom with tourism arrival and spending figures indicating a tremendous banner year, we are confident that we are on course to deliver even further the fuller impact of the ambitious programmes and industry as outlined in Our Plan.

I also take this opportunity to summon the country's entrepreneurs to remain focused and organized as the Government readies the market for the full introduction of the Venture Capital Fund. This Fund will no doubt add in the further stimulation of the local economy by assisting local businessmen and entrepreneurs with the assess to capital in order to start their businesses. The Venture Capital Fund, which has recently been published in the Official Gazette, is yet another realization of the promises to which the Government has consecrated for the Bahamian people since our election to office on May 2nd, 2002.

The PLP calls on all Bahamians of goodwill to stand firm with the PLP Government as we embrace these fresh and invigorating additions to the Bahamian economy and the resulting benefit of good and steady employment and a buoyant economic future.

The Party wishes to assure Bahamians in the Family Islands that their PLP Government is working tenaciously hard to secure for their islands sustainable development and new investment to trigger their economies and impact their lives for the better.The peoples of Exuma, Eleuthera, Mayguana, Rum Cay, Cat Island, Abaco and Grand Bahama will be able to boast of new magnificent investments that will come on stream in the coming months.
 
There is continued reason for jubilant optimism.