The thug who shot dead Danish investor Arne Petersen also killed off $50 million of foreign investment, it was revealed last night.
For just hours before he was murdered in his bedroom, Mr. Petersen had dined with fellow Danish investors to discuss various job creation projects throughout The Bahamas.
And the trio had committed themselves to the tune of $50 million having been reassured by Mr. Petersen that the crime situation in the Bahamas was “no worse than anywhere else.”
Within an hour of settling any fears they may have had Mr. Petersen was dead – gunned down by intruders who broke into his bedroom while he was watching television.
The Danish group were so shocked and appalled that they immediately made arrangements to leave the Bahamas abandoning their investment plans.
Last night, former cabinet minister, Algernon Allen said Mr. Petersen’s murder would have serious national and international repercussions for the Bahamas.
“He met this group on the very night he died and they were ready to commit themselves to this money. That is a fact,” he said.
Told that an employee of Mr. Petersen’s had also been killed, Mr. Allen said, “This is a very serious state of affairs.”
He said that the Bahamas business fraternity was now living in fear – not only of the looming downturn in the economy and the possibility of long recession, but also for their personal safety.
The killings over the weekend of two prominent businessmen – Mr. Petersen and Nassau advertising agency boss James Bethel – added a new dimension to the national crime scene.
Both shootings were outside the usual run of drug-related and domestic murders and were apparently committed by armed robbers.
Mr. Allen said, “Mr. Petersen employed directly or indirectly about 300 Bahamians. He was obviously a wealthy man, but he used his money almost in a philanthropic way. He had numerous interests and was keen on investments in the Family Islands, like Eleuthera and Andros.
He said the two killings have left business people in despair. “The fear gripping this town is at a level I have never experienced before. There is a mood of despair gripping the Bahamas. Crime and the economy are causing Bahamians to feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel and that is a frightening thing.”
He said the government’s rhetoric had worn thin, “I believe it is now time for action and that action must be patent and focused.”
“There has to be decisive and focused action by the government,” he added.
The Tribune (Exclusive)
