In what he said is another important step in his aggressive approach to economic development in the Family Islands, Prime Minister Perry Christie on Monday announced a multimillion-dollar tourist project for southern Cat Island, including a casino.
His Minister of Financial Services and Investments Allyson Maynard-Gibson emphasized that the Christie Administration’s policy to ensure a major project on each island is not just talk.
“Please make yourself ready for the continued opportunities that will be happening across our archipelago,” Minister Maynard-Gibson urged Bahamians.
The first phase of the Cat Island development, which is being carried out by the American-based Crystal Mount Limited, will be valued at $26 million and will be completed within 18 to 24 months of commencement, Mr. Christie told reporters at the Cabinet Office in downtown Nassau.
Phase one of the project will include a 250-room five-star hotel consisting of two three-storey towers of 66 bedrooms each; 43 two-bedroom villas and 32 one-bedroom villas; a Monte Carlo-styled casino; a spa and treatment facility; beach clubs; and fine restaurants and bars.
Mr. Christie said Phase II is to begin immediately upon completion of Phase I, and will be completed within 18 months.
According to the prime minister, Phase II is to include the laying out and development of a high-end residential subdivision consisting of not less than 100 estate lots.
The prime minister, who promised that this is only the first in a series of developments planned for Cat Island, said it is expected that during the construction of the project, approximately 100 Bahamians will be employed.
At the completion of the development it is estimated that approximately 150 Bahamians will be permanently employed in the management, operation and maintenance of the resort.
“The government’s dual objective is to invigorate the local economy, attract Cat Islanders to return to their native island and preserve the pristine integrity of Cat Island’s magnificent natural environment,” Mr. Christie said.
He also announced that as part of the infrastructure upgrade in Cat Island, the government will carry out airport improvements at the Bight Airport to the required standards to facilitate international air traffic of small commercial and private jets.
Speaking about the development, the prime minister said, “This is great news to those pioneers of the tourism industry in Cat Island-This project represents a first in a number of projects which are going to be impacting Cat Island in the near future. We hope that this will not only reinforce the tourism product on the island of Cat Island, that it would not only arrest the movement of people to the city centres, but it will lead measurably to the return of Cat Islanders to their island for the new economic opportunities that will ensue. Exuma is an evidence in point.”
He informed that the development will be carried out on 500 acres of privately held land.
One of the developers, Rajai Zumont, thanked the government for helping to conclude “a tough, but fair viable economic agreement” and he spoke of the benefits of carrying out an “eco-friendly” development in such a pristine environment.
“From the onset we drew up plans to preserve this ‘pristineness’, to bring low density, low impact development that-provides our ultimate guests a pristine environment that allows them to relax and enjoy, not a Disney World type development,” Mr. Zumont said.
“I promise you this that we will move expeditiously in this endeavor.”
During the press conference, the prime minister informed that the Crystal Mount Limited is a company beneficially owned by Hamad Jassim Mohammad Al-Thani, a businessman and member of the royal family of Qatar and Mr. Zumot, an entrepreneur with particular emphasis in the field of land development.
According to Mr. Christie, Mr. Zumot currently manages properties collectively valued at over $110 million and is developing four commercial projects in the Washington, DC area.
“In carrying out this development, the developer intends to utilise and promote Bahamian suppliers of quality goods and materials, including construction equipment, Bahamian cuisine, local farm produce and marine products,” the prime minister said.
He said the developers have committed to collaborate with The Bahamas Agricultural Industrial Corporation.
The prime minister added that as is customary in all heads of agreement, the developers have also agreed to establish during the course of the development multi-disciplinary on-the-job technical skills training and apprenticeship programmes designed to equip its Bahamian employees with the level of technical proficiency necessary for promotion and advancement in all spheres of the development.
By: Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
