FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Residents of East Grand Bahama will have the opportunity to open a variety of businesses in preparation for the mega-port to be constructed by Carnival, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Peter Turnquest said on Tuesday, February 5.

Minister Turnquest was referring to the information meeting hosted by Carnival on Monday at the Foster B. Pestaina Hall where officials of Carnival explained their plans for the project which is expected to be completed by late 2021.

He said he was pleased that the cruise port is on Grand Bahama and it creates an opportunity for small business people in East Grand Bahama who have “been neglected or ignored.  It now gives them an opportunity to participate in this Grand Bahama experience.”

The Deputy Prime Minister, who is the Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama added that residents will have the opportunity to get into business in areas they are familiar with such as bone fishing, eco-tour operations, and deep sea fishing.

“East Grand Bahama is a very unique, pristine ecological gem that we have and because of the distance, it has not been exploited.”

From the indications of what is to come for Grand Bahama, said the Minister of Finance, “we’re going to have to re-import Grand Bahamians back to the island to keep up with the demand.  We’re very excited about where we are and what we foresee before us. We’re excited to turn this economy around and bring families back together and create prosperity for these people.”