Unfortunately, what is being proposed is to jump back into the failed policies of our current economic system. Had there been more emphasis placed on taking care of the long term interests of Bahamians, instead of the mere numbers of more dollars coming into the country, we would not see the widespread suffering that will soon overtake this country. Sadly, our business gurus and politicians have both bought into the idea that it is just the volume of money coming into our country that matters. Not how it is distributed, or if there is a more sustainable way to insure the continuity of health and welfare of our citizenry. What we see, evident in all of the so-called reformers, here and abroad, is an all to quick call to patch things up so that business as usual, with them at the top, continues. That we have lost our imagination, along with our intellectual edge, are merely the results of decades of poor business and legislative practices. Yes, the government has failed us. No question about that. However, to suggest that all of us will be equally hard hit by this crisis is disingenuous, at best. Some people have options to leave this country, which many will do. Most however, will be faced with dealing with the mess at hand. Interesting that the country of Mauritius was listed along with The Bahamas. Since this report came out, the environmental disaster of an oil spill in Mauritius is in the process of dooming thousands of the poorest people in that country to certain suffering. As one local said, "We live from the sea, we eat from the sea. What now?" And, likewise, our business gurus whose complete time is spent behind a desk and on a computer will simply up and go, while those whose roots are tied to the environment are screwed. Pretty much like here, right? Let's drill for oil. baby, we'll all be rich, or at least taken care of, hey? Same mentality here. Business so-called leaders have the same short=term mentality with regard to what makes the world work. If it is good for them, it must be good for everyone else. These are the "job creators" they have led themselves to believe. If they were really long-term thinkers, who cared about their kid's future in The Bahamas, they would be laser focused on our environment, especially climate change, sea level rise and the death of life on this planet. Instead, they think that money will buy them out of whatever mess they create.
I call bullshit.

100%. the focus needs to be on promoting Bahamian businesses specifically businesses in growth industries. As you said and I've been saying for years at the first sign of trouble the foreign man will leave. The Bahamians and residents who love this country must be in a position weather the storm and to carry on

**I am flabbergasted that this recovery committee is taking 6 months to produce 1 idea. The SBDC has been in operation for 2 years. Thousands of Bahamians have full blown business ideas gathering dust. Has anybody scoured the submissions to see if there are any viable ideas, in growth industries, that if given the correct incubator have a good chance of succeeding? This seems like an OBVIOUS source of ideas. But 6 months and nobody in power has even mentioned it. They used this valuable SBDC resource to instead hand out money to make masks (which is fine if you do the other things too) It makes you believe that they want the ideas for themselves**

The foreign man has not abandoned the Bahamas, at least not yet. The Bahamas will always be dependent on FDI. Bahamians cannot replace the foreign investor because they have no US dollars. You can’t pay for imports in Bahamian dollars. For some reason Bahamians don’t understand this basic fact.

Yes. I said Bahamians and "residents" who love the Bahamas.

I recognize there are non Bahamians who've adopted us as home, they will stay. But there are others who are here for financial opportunity, which is great, but the govt should be putting more effort into the groups who will stick out the bad times, thats my point. Remember that I'm talking about givt incentives. If the rich billionaire wants to invest here go ahead, I een hating on Bill Gates, come on down. But the govt should put more effort and monetary incentives into the bedrock of the country Bahamian innovation

I don't see any useful suggestions on alternatives in your diatribe. many can criticize. that is easy, very few can offer real viable solutions.

Start with a progressive taxation regime, if you want long-term sustainability.
Right now, taxes on the poorest and working class here in The Bahamas will destroy any middle class aspirations any may hold. Eliminate Custom's Duty. We have way too many of our people in Make Work, producing nothing. They spend too much of each day moving things around and twiddling with entries and numbers. Imagine if Customs agents were free to actually help Bahamians, instead of throwing up roadblocks every chance they get. Bring in FDI, sure. But, then not to tax them or their businesses is not a way to make life better for Bahamians. If they have the right to profit from here, for God's sake we should tax them fairly and effectively. If we had Statesmen in our government, none of the current MPs would be in office.

or just tax less and shrink the govt payroll...

Get your electricity problems fixed. There are few companies that want to invest in a nation where electricity is not a necessity. Infrastructure is a necessity.

yep. It's a problem for Bahamian business persons too. #decadesofcorruption

Most Bahamians are far too arrogant and hardheaded to ever realize that no one wants to inject capital into a country where consistent power or running water is non-existant. Then most of the same set complain when the foreign investors want nothing to do with the Bahamian government, and would just prefer to be left alone and remain as independent as possible.

You will find many sympathetic ears among local business owners here as well, but far too many locals that are just used to having the government give them a freebie in life. If they ever decide to open their own business/pay out of their own pocket to get an income, maybe their eyes will open. Even when the scales are ripped off, the corruption is far too deep to be overcome without significant generational change unforeseen in Bahamian history.

It amazes me