NASSAU, Bahamas — The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) has released “Our Blueprint for Change”, which encompasses its “COVID-19 Action Plan”, and promised economic reforms, including a reduction in value-added tax (VAT) to 10 percent, The Nassau Guardian reported on August 30.
The party outlines a 10-point plan, making broad commitments to rescue the economy and empower Bahamians, and pledging to make “massive” investments in infrastructure and energy.
The PLP pledges the development of a cannabis industry, a commitment to providing affordable healthcare through National Health Insurance (NHI), and the establishment of local government in New Providence.
The COVID Plan encapsulates the party’s previously stated commitments to expand testing and tracing, improve public health capacity, “consult and respect” Bahamian healthcare professionals and provide equitable distribution of vaccines — something government officials are sure to argue is already in place.
The PLP commits to “build a new hospital on New Providence, through public-private partnership, with simultaneous improvements to conditions at Princess Margaret Hospital”. It also promises to build a new hospital on Grand Bahama and pledges to beef up healthcare infrastructure throughout the Family Islands.
Additionally, the PLP commits to a “thorough assessment and management of natural resources for the ultimate benefit of Bahamians”, and the establishment of a “robust” Sovereign Wealth Fund.
It pledges to create the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and to “assess the value of natural resources throughout The Bahamas”. It said it would review and renegotiate contracts of mining of natural resources.
In addition to reducing VAT from 12 percent to 10 percent — something the party previously stated it would do for a period of 12 months — it commits in its Blueprint to provide “additional VAT relief”, although no specifics were given.
The party pledges to “prioritize increasing revenue” and transform the tax system to make it more equitable and progressive.
It said it would “stop financial leakage in our public sector, including insider deals”.
The party said it would “make government contracts open and transparent.” See complete article in The Nassau Guardian at https://thenassauguardian.com/plp-releases-new-plan-here-are-the-highlights/?fbclid=IwAR2KEMZWSsx2bS6_z1a8_Ygj5tzIXYUCW091EOR5HH1sv2O5zNqpGR3igr0
