FREEPORT, Grand Bahama –As negotiations on the Grand Bahama International Airport near the final stages, State Minister for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson has revealed that there is high interest from investors to enter a public-private partnership with the government in the redevelopment of the facility, The Tribune reported on Friday, January 29, in an article written by Denise Maycock.
The government is in negotiations with the Hutchison Group and the Grand Bahama Port Authority to acquire ownership of the airport, which sustained severe damage during Hurricane Dorian.
“We believe we are in the final stages, and we hope for a turnover and resolution very shortly,” Mr Thompson said recently.
The government continues to meet with the two major stakeholders regularly, he added.
“We believe the big issues have been resolved, and we are attempting now to finalise, but we are still in negotiations with (them). We expect that once that is completed, a complete assessment has to be done as to how we will rebuild.”
Noting that there will be a complete redevelopment of the airport, Mr Thompson added, “We are pleased the government has received a high interest from companies who want to have a PPP with the government in the redevelopment of the airport. Once the process is completed, and we go through and assess the proposals, a decision will be made as to how we move forward to the PPP arrangement.”
Despite the challenges facing Grand Bahama, Mr Thompson reported that the island is ranked 21 among the best destinations in the Caribbean to visit. He noted that attracting sufficient airlift and proper marketing of the island is very critical to the island’s success.
Mr Thompson believes that 2021 is going to be better than 2020 in terms of the island’s economy. See complete Tribune story at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2021/jan/29/high-interest-grand-bahama-airport-partnership/
