By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE decision of the government to extend the concessions of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, which is due to expire on August 4, for a further six months is being “hailed” by a senior executive of the Grand Bahama Port Authority “as a very positive development”.

“We thank the Prime Minister and his government for this interim extension,” said Sarah St George, Vice Chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA).

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, the tax exemptions for the real property tax and business licence fees would be further extended until February, 2016.

“The Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd and its licencees are most appreciative of the decision of the Government to extend those concessions of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement which are due to expire on August 4, 2015, for a further six months,” the company said in a statement issued on Thursday.

“GBPA asserted on behalf of its licencees that removal of the uncertainty concerning the Government’s position on the expiring concession is vital to collective efforts to attract new investors and the expansion plans of existing investors in the Port Area.”

She hailed the government’s decision as a very positive development and indicative of the goodwill built between all parties during the consultation process with Government and the Special Committee under Dr Marcus Bethel over the last months.

“We thank the Prime Minister and his Government for this interim extension and, as so aptly put, for their recognition of the importance of the adoption of new measures aimed at accelerating, broadening and sustaining economic development in Freeport and Grand Bahama generally,” she said.

In March, the Government appointed a six-member committee, led by Dr Marcus Bethel, to review the Agreement and to make recommendations concerning the expiring exemptions and for the further economic development of Freeport. The committee’s report was submitted to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet a month ago. The committee met with over 100 stakeholders, including civil society, manufacturers, developers, tourism operators, and professionals, and present and former parliamentarians from both sides of the parliamentary divide as well as holding public meetings.

Prime Minister Perry Christie said the six-month extension to the tax exemptions will allow for “full analysis and further consultation” due to the comprehensive nature of the committee’s report and the need for legislative bills to be tabled.