Business View Caribbean - June 2016 21
“The Baha Mar matter is of significance to the Ba-
hamas and the government of the Bahamas. The
government has never deviated from our position
that Bahamian contractors must benefit from the
project. Nothing will distract the government from
providing jobs and opportunities for the Bahamian
people,” Christie said.
A first round of bids for buyers interested in purchas-
ing the mega-development is complete and there
are a number of “reputable” investors involved,
he added. The prime minister did not disclose any
names of reportedly interested buyers. He also as-
sured local contractors that the government will
fight for them to be re-engaged and that consider-
ation is being given to settling the debts owed to
Bahamian creditors.
Christie, responding to reports that the Chinese gov-
ernment made a number of requests, including 500
Bahamian citizenships for its citizens in exchange for
the investment, told House members the govern-
ment is not in the business of selling citizenships
and it simply does not arise. He also noted that the
government could not legally give any investor any-
thing outside the scope of what the Atlantis Resort
has received.
