FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Philip Davis on Thursday said the $200 million Carnival Cruise Port investment in Grand Bahama is what collaboration is all about, and such partnerships will get Grand Bahama where it needs to be.

He said on Wednesday Grand Bahama received the news of the hotel purchase to Electra America and on Thursday the groundbreaking of Carnival Cruise Port. “The Grand Bahama economy is on its way up, the magic is returning to the magic city, and we fully expect the Carnival Cruise Port to play a pivotal role in the re- emergence of the Grand Bahama economy.”

Also present for the ceremony was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. I. Chester Cooper, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Housing and Transport the Hon. JoBeth Coleby-Davis, Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Hon. Myles LaRoda, other senior government officials, officials of Carnival and of the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

The Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, was congratulated for steering the island through economic transformation. “Minister Moxey is a shining example of the new energy and vision that epitomizes this New Day
administration’s approach to national development. The people of Grand Bahama are in good hands with her at the helm.”

Carnival and The Bahamas have had a long-standing relationship: the company has brought passengers to the country for the past 50 years.

“With ports of call on Nassau, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Half Moon Cay, and the Princess Cays, Carnival has demonstrated what geographically diverse, Bahamas- wide investment can look like when it is done effectively.

“With this new venture, Grand Bahama is set to benefit from another major development, courtesy of the team at Carnival. The Government of The Bahamas welcomes Carnival Cruise Line’s $200 million investment into Grand Bahama as a sign of true economic partnership with the Island of Grand Bahama. Carnival's project will play a critical role in engineering the economic growth of the Grand Bahamian economy through direct employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.”

The project is expected to create 1,000 permanent jobs and hundreds during the construction phase.

“I am personally looking forward to the Carnival Cruise Line Port in Grand Bahama and the new multi-cruise line partnership for a shipyard that will provide high- quality opportunities for local residents and a high-quality experience for visitors.”

Said the Prime Minister, “Investments like this one operate at the intersection of tourism and the blue economy in a symbiotic relationship of sorts – as long as we take care of our environment, it will take care of us. The Carnival Cruise Line Port is proof-positive of that.

“While many countries in the region enjoy a healthy flow of cruise ships into their ports, The Bahamas’ tourism model is dependent on cruise tourism in a way that our regional counterparts are not. Thanks to our strategic development of the industry, as well as our innate cultural and geographical advantages, we have figured out a way to tap into the economic potential of the cruise industry in a way that others have not.”

The Prime Minister said he feels this is just the beginning for the island and with growth in the economy, particularly in the areas of tourism and moving to the

orange, blue and green economies, there is cause for optimism on the island as people are getting back to work.

He said, “As we break ground on this exciting new opportunity, I cannot think of better partners for the development of this nation than the resilient people of Grand Bahama and the committed team at Carnival Cruise Line. I truly believe that this will be a fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership.”

CARNIVAL PRESENTATION – Following the groundbreaking ceremony for Carnival Cruise Port on Thursday, president of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy made a presentation to Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)

CELEBRATION – In recognition of Carnival’s 50th year in existence, Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line gave Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis the first piece of cake. Prime Minister Davis, along with other members of his cabinet, were in Grand Bahama on Thursday for the groundbreaking ceremony for Carnival Cruise Port. (BIS Photo/Lisa Davis)