Excerpts from the 2013/2014 budget communication, delivered by Prime Minister Perry Christie in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Government determined to continue with the National Health Insurance Scheme

“In the area of health, I wish to signal that the government is currently reviewing all aspects, including costing, of a National Health Insurance programme. We are committed to the establishment of such a scheme during this term and, through the review process, we will determine how best to phase in the programme in the period ahead. We are also committed to the construction of mini-hospitals across the nation. Currently, two such hospitals are on the drawing board in South Eleuthera and Cat Island and construction is slated to begin in 2013/14.”

COST OF SPIRITS UP

The government has also increased the excise duty on manufactured spirits from the current rate of $6 a gallon to $8 a gallon. The stamp duty on imported spirits has also increased from $11 a gallon to $15 a gallon with an effective date of July 1, 2013.

Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School to become a special needs school

“As part of our broader education thrust, the government will rent and renovate Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School to accommodate some 100 special needs children. Further recognising the need for heightened attention to those with special needs, my government also plans to begin construction, in New Providence, of a new educational and multi- purpose facility for persons with special needs. We are also committed to providing facilities in our schools for persons with special needs. In addition, we want to ensure that when they are no longer able to attend schools, like Garvin Tynes, facilities such as the one to be developed are provided where they may attend during the day. This facility will provide for them to continue their development and maximise their potential and ability to contribute to society. As well as the transformative effect on this section of our community, we believe that scores of families will welcome the opportunity to pursue business and gainful employment while their loved ones are in a safe environment, developing fully their God-given potential.”

New schools slated for some Family Islands

“In this budget, my government is also allocating $5.5 million of our own resources to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in 2013/14 for the construction of new primary and secondary schools in Inagua, San Salvador, Gregory Town and Lowe Sound. That is more than double the amount allocated last year and a virtual tripling of the sums allocated in 2011/12. We will maintain and expand these investments in future years.”

Draft legislation to help small-medium size businesses

“While the government does attach a high priority to identifying, promoting and supporting new foreign direct investment projects, we are also cognisant of the needs of small and medium size enterprises that are important engines of growth and job creation. We are therefore developing a new policy framework that will enhance the creation and expansion of small and medium size enterprises and the long-term employment opportunities that they create. The consultation report on the draft legislation is scheduled to be presented to the government in June and the amended legislation will be released for consultations in early Summer. Tabling in parliament is expected in the Fall.”

$175 million for Defence Force

“As well, we will begin a five year process to invest approximately $175 million in the modernisation of the marine fleet and harbour facilities of the Defence Force, in order to better patrol our seas and borders, protect our marine resources, and strengthen our capacity to respond to natural disasters throughout the Family Islands. In addition, we have also invested considerable sums to increase the manpower of the Defence Force.”

$1 million for greenhouses at Her Majesty’s Prison

“In addition, we are allocating $1 million toward the installation of greenhouses, for gardening purposes, at the prison, in schools and special educational facilities, the Williamae Pratt and Simpson Penn Centres, seniors’ and children’s homes throughout the country, as well as in Urban Renewal communities as a means of providing employment and a source of marketable produce.”

Government still committed to housing programme

“My government remains committed to the housing programme. The grave economic situation that we inherited has delayed our ability to proceed as expeditiously as we would have liked, but we are now in a position to move forward with the construction of new homes. The Minister of Housing will provide additional details during the budget debate.”

Agricultural centre for Andros

“As well, the government will invest just over $4 million next year to establish the new School of Agriculture and Marine Sciences in North Andros. To be built on the site of the old agricultural research facility, the institute will include a tutorial commercial farm and is projected to be fully self-sustaining within five years. As an adjunct of the College of the Bahamas, it will offer diploma and certification programmes as well as skills training and its curriculum will combine both academic and practical components. It is estimated that initiatives sparked by the school could potentially place a 15 per cent dent in our total food imports.”

• Government to take up cost of security and border control services now handled by the United States in Grand Bahama.

“The reality is that, in all of these instances, we are recovering the administrative costs involved for Customs in providing these services. In the case of Grand Bahama, the government will, in 2015, also have to assume the cost for security and border control services now handled by the United States.”

• The government has also announced that it will continue the first-time home owner tax exemption which was expected to come to an end on July 1, 2013, but has now been extended for an additional five years to June 2018.