NASSAU, Bahamas — Immigration reforms tabled by the government in parliament yesterday were hailed as “a way to jumpstart” ambitions for Grand Bahama to become a “technology hub”, The Tribune reported March 28.
Dr Donovan Moxey, who headed the government-appointed technology hub steering committee, told Tribune Business that the legislation to create the “BH-1B work visa” was “huge” for The Bahamas given the “strong signal” it sends to the industry and its highly-skilled workforce.
Revealing that it would take “15-20 years” to build a technology sector with “critical mass” through organic growth, Dr Moxey said the reform established The Bahamas as a “practical and viable” location just off the US east coast where companies and their workers can relocate.
The steering committee suggested the creation of a “BH-1B” visa to facilitate the smooth entry of highly-skilled technology workers in its February 2018 report to the Government, urging it to exploit the uncertainty surrounding the Trump administration’s willingness – or lack thereof – to renew similar style work permits for the US.
The Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2019, tabled yesterday, indicates that the Government is now moving to translate such advice into reality. The Bill makes clear that the BH-1B work visa is intended to underpin, and complement, the Commercial Enterprises Act and its promise to liberalise the Immigration regime for companies in sectors targeted by that law. http://www.tribune242.com/news/2019/mar/28/work-visa-reform-jumpstart-tech-hub/
