Thank you Mr. President and members of the Chamber, as well as other guests for the very kind welcome which you have given to me this morning.
 
I am very happy to be here in Abaco to share with you my excitement over the tremendous level of growth and development of Abaco.  I believe that this would be a defining period for the economy of Abaco.  This will be the period in which your local economy will expand, diversify and grow stronger by the new investments that will be introduced into Abaco.

 I have always contended that Abaco has tremendous potential for sustained growth and therefore should have a bright and strong future as one of the growth centres of The Bahamas.  One which, in the course of time, will provide employment opportunities as well as a new way of life for thousands of Bahamians.  The challenge to Abaco and Abaconians is to ensure that you continue to grow in your ownership of and involvement with this economy.   It is of the utmost importance that we are able to point to a successful model of Bahamians in our islands being meaningfully integrated into their local economies.

 At the outset I must tell you that the bright and strong future for Abaco will be greatly facilitated by the Government of The Bahamas by committing itself to programmes and strategies that will enable Abaco to attain sustainable growth.  I have come today to confirm that we in the Central Government have accorded a very high priority to the concerns of Abaco and that we are endeavouring to deal systematically with the challenges and the opportunities which growth now brings to this Island.

 I begin today by stating that from Crown Haven in the north to Sandy Point in the south, including all of the keys we see communities and an island primed for an unparalleled period of economic growth with the main beneficiaries being you the business community of Abaco.

 I wish to remind you that if we to continue to live in peace and comfort in this beautiful country we should always keep in focus the most powerful words of Jesus from the Book of Matthew: “What you do for the least of my brethren you do also for me”.  Put very simply, our country, our communities and our Government must always ensure that the most disadvantaged are provided with hope and help through enlightened, creative and compassionate initiatives.

 We cannot and must not ignore major social problems on this island. Whether arising from inadequate housing, illegal migration, children with varying disabilities – (they must be identified and addressed).

 Just this morning, I visited the Roman Catholic sponsored school 'Every Child Counts’ programme – a wonderful example of caring and compassion.  On the basis, therefore, of a society being as strong as its weakest link, I would urge you to ensure that there is a private/public effort to measure, assess and identify those who are the most disadvantage and to begin the process of providing the requisite assistance.

 I now turn to the economy of Abaco – I should briefly address some positive developments and afterwards pay some attention to some of the specific concerns that you have and which we know must be addressed in the shortest possible time.

SAFETY AND SECURITY
 Our reputation as a stable, safe and secure country has been the basis of our success as the leading tourism destination in the region.    My government recognizing how critical this issue is to ensuring a bright future for Abaco has opened three (3) new Police Stations in Abaco – in Crown Haven, Treasure Cay and Moore’s Island.  We are committed to ensuring with the people of Abaco the maintenance of the worldwide reputation, which Abaco now enjoys.
 
TOURISM
          Tourism is very strong in Abaco and is currently the strongest it has been in the history of tourism in this island. Foreign arrivals to Abaco for the preceding year January -December 2003 totaled some 93,568 visitors. If we were to count the Disney cruises at Castaway Cay, which was some 384,568, then the numbers would be 486,640. But in real terms, the arrival figure as it relates to touristic activities was 93,568 visitors. A breakdown reveals the following: Marsh Harbour, including the offshore Cays, welcomed a total of 64,500. Of this amount 62,918 came by way of air arrival and 1,582 were sea landed visitors, that is, persons who arrived by boats but lived in hotels. Treasure Cay, the gateway to northern Abaco, including Green Turtle Cay welcomed 25,784 during the year January to December 2003. Walkers Cay welcomed a total of 11,165 visitors of this amount 4,866 were air arrivals 6,299 were sea landed visitors, mostly yachting types, thus bringing the total to 11,165.

 It is important we use the nature and history of tourism in Abaco to strengthen our policy nationwide.

 In Abaco, a wonderful mix of hotel rooms and second homes make up the basis for a successful Industry.  This was most evident statistically after the Act of Terrorism   in New York, September 11th 2001.  Whereas hotel occupancies dramatically decreased, persons who had second homes continued to come to The Bahamas.  Obviously, with second homes there is a different mindset.

 The positive developments now taking place in our Family Islands have taken on this mix of small hotels together with a variety of types of second homes which are used as hotel rooms when the owners are not in occupation.  This mix, added to by Spa facilities, demonstrably strengthen the industry and introduces a formula for what I shall call sustainable tourism.

 Having already seen what the Emerald Bay – Four Seasons Hotel has contributed to the economy of Exuma, we are extremely excited over the contribution that the Winding Bay Club and Golf Course will contribute to the economy of Abaco when it is completed by the lend of this year.  The People of Abaco, must prepare themselves for dynamic growth as this new over One Hundred Million Dollars upscale, high-end development will be the catalyst for other new investments in Abaco.
 
 
INVESTMENTS PROJECT IN ABACO
Conservatively estimated, direct foreign investment in Abaco’s tourism sector, now in the stages of implementation or in the stage of being processed by regulatory agencies of my Government, is around 500 million dollars.  Our challenge is always to ensure that in determining what investments should be approved, the government must exercise great sensitivity to the views of our citizens and also the need to protect and preserve sufficient of our country for future generations of Bahamians.  We must therefore avoid development of our country moving faster and going further than our country and our people’s capacity to absorb such developments.  I have asked the Honourable Allyson Gibson, the Minister of Financial Services and Investments to ensure that you are informed of such investments as they are approved.

In addition to the Abaco Club in Winding Bay which comprises residential sites, club house, seventy villas, championship link golf course which is now under construction, these proposed investments cover the entire spectrum of the tourism sector – small hotels, time share units, cottages, condominiums, bone fishing lodges, etc. and will have an impact on both North and South Abaco.

There are currently under consideration several other projects that have been earmarked for Abaco, including those concerning the agricultural and fisheries sectors.  I need not impress upon you the agricultural and fisheries potential of Abaco as already you have impacted the domestic economy and markets in United States of America, however, it is worth noting how essentially important it is for you in Abaco to demonstrate to the rest of The Bahamas the great benefit which will accrue to Bahamians who establish linkages with the tourism industry by supplying fresh produce and other domestically grown items.

                   What is important about all of these projects is that they represent a diverse pool of foreign investment in the local economy. The investors are from the European Community, from Canada, from the United States of America, from South America and indeed from elsewhere. The projects in which they have invested their capital are, in the main, of a touristic nature but what is important is that they also represent the extent to which the economy of Abaco is being diversified to include agriculture and aquaculture enterprises. And I am confidant that the success of these ventures will spur other similar developments that will lead to spin off in agro-industries such as canning and food processing and other related enterprises.  And here I want to make a very important point. Less it appears as if we have only been focusing our attention on foreign investments, let me say categorically that the economy of Abaco, which has for many years been driven by domestic investments, will I hope continue to have a strong mix of local and foreign investments in the vital sectors of tourism and agriculture.  I am convinced that it will be these types of investments which will be the engine of growth and which will make it possible for local investors to reap the benefit, which is sure to come from the inflow of foreign capital.  This is the challenge that I throw out to the Abaco Chamber of Commerce members.

Consultation with Local Community

 The people of Abaco are the key to Abaco’s future.  The extend to which you involve yourself in creating a culture of excellence and in how you perform your various roles on this island will determine whether you become an exceptionally successful island or just a successful one.  You must understand your economy and do all that is necessary to make the world know that “It Keeps Getting Better in Abaco”.

 Government must do its part but it’s all about the people of Abaco – yes it is about you.

 Secondly, the rate of which Abaco grows, socially and economically will be greatly influenced by a commitment on the part of each of you to be involve in the governance of Abaco at both local and national levels.  To enable you to begin the process of such involvement, I have come to commend my approach of consultation and to say to you that we should begin by having a representative group of the Chamber of Commerce meet on a regular basis with the Prime Minister and which ever Minister he designates at given times.  This will ensure that the issues are addressed in a timely fashion.

ADDRESSING SOME CRITICAL CONCERNS
It is axiomatic that with growth and development come other concerns that must be addressed by the Government. The efforts of the private sector must be complemented by a corresponding level of investment by the Government in order for there to be a balanced and well harmonized approach to growth and development. To this end, I am well aware of some of the concerns and I know that other members of my Government are equally aware of them in terms of their individual portfolio responsibilities. I also know that my Ministers are committed to addressing these concerns, given the resources available and given other national priorities.

Just last week the Honourable Bradley B. Roberts visited the Island and, in particular, the good people of Elbow Cay to sign a contract for the construction of a hot mix asphalt road at a cost of some Five Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand Dollars ($585,000) representing a joint venture funding arrangement between the government and the local community.

THE STATE OF THE MARSH HARBOUR
 INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
There is no question, given the developments which are now in place and those which are about to take place in the very short and medium term, that the Marsh Harbour Airport has outgrown its usefulness and its capacity to deal adequately with the number of persons coming through that facility.    Earlier I mentioned that some 93,000 tourists arrived here in Abaco last year. Close to 63,000 of them arrived through Marsh Harbour Airport. There is, therefore, no question that the capacity of the airport is being drastically taxed to handle this volume of air passengers together with the ever-increasing numbers of domestic arrivals and departures.   The Government is absolutely committed to the immediate introduction of modern safety and security measures for the maximum comfort of the users of the airport.

              There are several considerations as it relates to the Marsh Harbour facility. The first and most critical is to move urgently ahead with the construction of an appropriate control tower. This is necessary from the point of view of air safety and also to ensure that the regulatory standards that are required by ICAO are met at this facility.

 The Minister for Transport is now receiving quotations for a control tower which will have the latest in communication equipment and that bids ranging from a low of $750,000 to a high of some 2 million dollars are being considered.   I firmly expect for this matter to be reviewed by Cabinet before the end of the financial year, which is in June, so that the budgetary allocations could be made under the capital budget for 2004/2005. Once a decision has been taken and contracts signed it is expected that the control tower project which will be a turn key project, inclusive of the latest state of the art equipment and training of air traffic controllers will be completed within a time frame of six to twelve months at the outside.  And so you will readily appreciate that there are some critical decisions that will have to be made with respect to the Marsh Harbour Airport. These are not easy decisions as they involve the economic future of Abaco

                    The provision of a new terminal building or an expanded building is no longer just a matter involving the comfort of passengers but it is now a matter involving the security of the traveling public.  As you would readily appreciate in the aftermath of 9/11 and given the worldwide threat of terrorism, it is highly desirable and increasingly necessary that all international flights should be thoroughly screened.  This involves screening of passengers and of items of luggage and we take this obligation very seriously. If only for this reason, I commit here and now that to ensuring in the shortest time possible that the Marsh Harbour International Airport will be in full conformity with the requirements as laid down for international flights. The safety and comfort of the traveling public must be uppermost in our minds in this regard as we move resolutely and speedily on this particular project.  It is obvious that physical improvements to the airport must take place at the earliest opportunity to complement the anticipated growth in economy and future growth.  There is no maybe on this issue.  Because of the neglect in preparing Exuma’s airport for the opening of the Four Seasons Resort, we had to deal with that expansion and face life as a priority.  We must now treat Abaco in the same way.  Our planners are already at work and my government will move resolutely to provide the appropriate facilities at the Marsh Harbour Airport, which will enable a process of consultation involving the local community to take place.  This matter will be address during the forthcoming financial year.

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
       Another of your pressing concerns has to do with the general state of the environment.  My government is committed to ensuring the preservation and protection of the pristine environment of Abaco for future generations.

I want to address briefly the question of the disposal of solid waste from Marsh Harbour and the surrounding communities and from Man-O-War Cay. Growing communities generate tons and tons of disposable solid waste. The traditional method of disposing of them have always been complicated and to say the least controversial.  It is my understanding that Man-O-war Cay has for many years been shipping its garbage over to the mainland. The rapid increase in residential expansion in Marsh Harbour and in Dundas and Murphy Town as, well as the volume of waste which comes from hotels, guesthouses and yachts, now means m a proper system of garbage disposal must be found for this growing community.
 
As chance would have it I understand that the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Ron Pinder, the Director of Environmental Health, Ms. Melony McKenzie and other technical officers from that Department preceded me here in Marsh Harbour.  I believe that they also held a very useful town meeting last evening in Man-o-war Cay. What I do know must happen in the shortest order is that a new modern landfill site has to be identified and made ready in the shortest possible time.  My brief from the Ministry of Health informs me that a site which has been identified in the region of Snake Cay may no longer be the best location to build a landfill site as there have been proposals for some touristic developments in that general location.

                   If this is in fact the case, and I do not know that a decision has been made in the matter, then an alternative location would need to be identified quickly. As many of you would know we are currently in the last year of a loan programme from the Inter American Development Bank (the IDB) which calls for, among other components, the construction of a landfill site in the Marsh Harbour area. This programme comes to an end in mid-year 2005 and it is against this time table that we have to ensure that the most suitable site is selected, that the project is tendered and a contract signed so that by May 2005 we would have been fully in conformity with the requirements of the IDB’s programme of action with respect to solid waste disposal for Marsh Harbour. And so it no longer a question as to whether a proper land fill site will be provided but simply one of timing.  And here, again, I give my full assurance that this will be done well within the cycle of the loan agreement which comes to an end in May of next year.

Planning: - A Master Plan for Abaco
 You may have heard me expressed my concerns over the development of our country without a proper plan – physical or otherwise, I am pleased to let you know that we have completed a physical plan for Exuma.  We are in the process of preparing a plan for Lutheran and we will now assign a team to commence the necessary work for a plan in Abaco.  This plan will guide government and the private sector and will show sites for resorts, public infrastructure, schools, clinics, hospitals etc.  It is long overdue and it is vital for the proper growth of this island.

CONCLUSION:
Mr. President and Ladies and Gentlemen, we are living in exciting times. Not only here in Abaco but throughout The Bahamas we are experiencing a resurgence of confidence in the Bahamian economy and I can confidently predict that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, the next few years in The Bahamas will be one of growth and sustained development for our nation. For the moment we are considering touristic and other forms of development for every island of the Bahamas including a small cay in the Cay Sal Bank area of the Bahamas. I, therefore, feel comfortable in saying that the prospects for the growth of the Bahamian economy over the next five years or so will be such that it will truly transform the economic and social life in these islands forever. It will provide a platform which will spur not only economic growth but will help us to address social and other problems so that our nation can experience a new dawn and a new day of peace, social stability and economic progress for all.

I thank you for your kind attention.