By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

CONSULTANT Leslie Bethel yesterday dismissed speculation over whether his familial ties to a top advisor within the government was a conflict of interest on prospective investment deals.

Mr Bethel said he felt the emerging scrutiny of his role as an international management consultant – in view of his father Sir Baltron Bethel’s position as the prime minister’s senior policy advisor – was motivated by politics or special interest.

He emphasised that his company, Notarc Management Group, has had a “good working relationship” with successive administrations.

“We are pleased whenever we can introduce or redirect investors to The Bahamas as many times their interest is elsewhere,” he said. “Our involvement is always conducted with the highest integrity and due process, void of conflict.

He added: “I am a strong advocate that governments in the region (The Bahamas and Caribbean) must continue to diversify their economies and be proactive in attracting FDR and advancing policies that also stimulate local business growth; whenever we can play a role we are happy to do so.”

Mr Bethel also represents RAV Bahamas, the foreign company that owns the controversial Bimini Bay project.

Calls for transparency over the professional relationship between Sir Baltron, his son, and Prime Minister Perry Christie emerged last week when photographs of a London dinner meeting were published.

Both Bethels were in the photograph with Mr Christie outside the five star Savoy Hotel in the Strand, London. The dinner was one of two dinner meetings held at first class London restaurants.

Back from his European tour, Mr Christie told media at the airport on Friday that those attending included government and private sector representatives for Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.

Mr Christie said the high level group discussed initiatives for new economic opportunities in areas such as financial services, trade and airlift, and yacht registration.

Noting that Mr Bethel had “extensive corporate connections” with Dubai, Mr Christie said Mr Bethel introduced him to a “very, very influential corporate personality” who was now in talks with the Ministry of Tourism for a small luxury cruise ship to operate within the Family Islands. Mr Christie said the introduction was made a year ago, adding that the “personality” has already purchased a vessel and is having it refurbished.

At the meeting, Mr Christie said he was also presented with a letter of interest for a large agricultural development in Andros, intended to work in tandem with the government’s institute.

Mr Christie said the development would be used to grow multiple staple foods, serve as a training ground for new technologies, and produce for local consumption and export.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Bethel said: “The speculation seems to be politically motivated or that of special interest; we have had a good working relationship with all governments of The Bahamas, including the previous Ingraham administration and now the current Christie administration.”