By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

EDISON Key, Executive Chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC), yesterday spoke out in support of the controversial $2.1bn agriculture and fisheries proposal for Andros that would involve Chinese investors, but cautioned that such a move, if pursued, must be “led and guided by Bahamians”.

Mr Key, who served as BAIC chairman from 2007-2012, said while he does not support the inclusion of any foreign group or country on a large-scale in such a venture, he would endorse plans to mobilise such a project if the government could clearly guarantee that Bahamians would be at the forefront of the development.

“Abaco or Andros could sustain a development like (this),” he said.

The Central and South Abaco MP also revealed that Henry Key, vice-president and director of Caribbean Global Timber Limited, is his son. The company was thrust into the spotlight on Monday, when The Nassau Guardian reported that the National Economic Council (NEC) gave permission for a forestry project with Chinese officials on 4,500 acres of Crown land in North Andros.

Speaking on the forestry project yesterday, Minister of Environment Ken Dorsett said no license had been issued to the company because they did not meet certain requirements. He said the principals of the company include Bahamian and American citizens who sought “additional assistance” from Chinese investors.

Mr Key said he did not know the details of the matter.

However, he also said the pine crop on several Bahamian islands has been allowed to grow in a clustered manner, limiting the growth potential.

Mr Key said an operation geared towards strategically “thinning out” pine forest crops throughout the country could yield “improved” crops.

“If you go down to Andros there are thousands of acres where they are just growing tall, they are not sizing up,” said Mr Key. “The pines need thinning out, they are too thick.

“I served as chairman for BAIC for five years, Andros and Abaco are the two main islands with pine. Tremendous amount of pine forest. The pine in most of these areas are very thick, they grow very tall but they don’t size up because they are jammed up.”

He added: “(But) industries such as agriculture and fisheries are strictly for Bahamians, I don’t think the government would venture to award any foreign entity a license to come in here and fish (at a commercial level).

“(It) is like taxis; (isn’t) that strictly for Bahamians, right? I don’t think the government would approve a fishery license to a foreign country or entity.”

He continued: “If it is a joint venture then I have no problems with it. But it has to be a joint venture, spearheaded by Bahamians, for Bahamians. But can’t just go out and say, with the Americans, the Canadians, Chinese; here is 10,000 acres go ahead and farm. But if they get Bahamians involved as partners who can benefit from the sales and all that stuff, I don’t see too much wrong with it.”

Reports of the proposed fisheries partnership surfaced last week, when it was reported that the deal would entail the incorporation of 100 companies, with the agricultural products and seafood to be used for local consumption, and exported to China and the United States for sale.

Those reports also added that the proposal does include the leasing of 10,000 acres of Crown land in Andros.

However, Minister of Agriculture V Alfred Gray said the matter was a proposal he had approved and which was created by the Bahamas Ambassador to China Paul “Andy” Gomez. It was not initiated by Chinese officials. He did admit that he gave Mr Gomez the go ahead to have discussions about the ideas with Chinese investors.

Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis has said the issue is not before the government for consideration.

The Free National Movement, of which Mr Key is a member, has called for Mr Gray’s resignation over the issue.

Yesterday Mr Key said the public discussion on such matters had become too political.

“Opposition is opposition, they will always (oppose) while governments work to be governments,” Mr Key said.