I agree we need FDI but the nature and scale of foreign investment must be considered with caution. What we need is Sustainable Development - development that meets the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We have laws in place but enforcement of these laws, in particular environmental laws, is extremely poor. How can we trust the governments' judgement of what constitutes safe and sustainable development when the law is undermined? The port being built in Abaco by Chinese investors is an example of a totally unnecessary investment which is destroying a beautiful part of the island and causing environmental damage while offering no substantial benefit to the Bahamian people - I struggle to see how this can be considered "progress" in the true sense of the word.
There are other alternative means to progress and development, especially if you interpret the meaning of the word 'development' to include factors other than building infrastructure and creating jobs. The mindset of young bahamians, the protection of the environment and the preservation of culture are all factors to be considered in the development process and each warrant 'investment' in their own right. Look at our education system for example. Its in shambles. Do you believe the increase in crime and poverty of late is because we lack foreign investment and jobs? Or is it because an increasing number of young Bahamians are uneducated and have no sense of direction in life? Or is it a combination of the two? The road to a progressive Bahamian society does not rest solely on FDI, and definitely not the the kind of foreign investment that is currently being permitted in our country.
CFG says...
The real issue here is wages. Not gratuity payments.
On Hotel union votes in favour of strike
Posted 18 January 2015, 7:08 p.m. Suggest removal
CFG says...
I agree we need FDI but the nature and scale of foreign investment must be considered with caution. What we need is Sustainable Development - development that meets the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We have laws in place but enforcement of these laws, in particular environmental laws, is extremely poor. How can we trust the governments' judgement of what constitutes safe and sustainable development when the law is undermined? The port being built in Abaco by Chinese investors is an example of a totally unnecessary investment which is destroying a beautiful part of the island and causing environmental damage while offering no substantial benefit to the Bahamian people - I struggle to see how this can be considered "progress" in the true sense of the word.
There are other alternative means to progress and development, especially if you interpret the meaning of the word 'development' to include factors other than building infrastructure and creating jobs. The mindset of young bahamians, the protection of the environment and the preservation of culture are all factors to be considered in the development process and each warrant 'investment' in their own right. Look at our education system for example. Its in shambles. Do you believe the increase in crime and poverty of late is because we lack foreign investment and jobs? Or is it because an increasing number of young Bahamians are uneducated and have no sense of direction in life? Or is it a combination of the two? The road to a progressive Bahamian society does not rest solely on FDI, and definitely not the the kind of foreign investment that is currently being permitted in our country.
On Hilton controversy shows Bahamas as 'banana republic'
Posted 7 November 2014, 10:56 a.m. Suggest removal