Minister Sets Out Vision For Financial Services

She shared that desire with a group of Rotarians whom she addressed on Friday about how the financial services sector would shape a new Bahamas and empower Bahamians.

"By this time next year I hope that we shall have already started to implement the second 5-year strategic plan and have rolled out our promotions of the ‘Bahamas Brand,’" she said.

"I also hope that the School of Financial Services at the College of The Bahamas will be well on the way in terms of fundraising and curriculum planning."

The strategic plan will be formulate based on information gleaned in a branding survey that Pricewaterhouse Coopers conducted. The results were released in Grand Bahama last week at the Bahamas Financial Services Board’s annual retreat.

Minister Maynard-Gibson said at a press conference shortly thereafter that the results were by and large favourable and highlighted this country’s strong image as a leading jurisdiction.

However, the report exposed the need to do more to communicate the benefits of doing business in The Bahamas and expressed concerns about room for growth in skills and expertise.

But as she addressed Rotarians last week, she also told of her vision for solidifying the public private sector partnership with even more professional associations. In that way, it is envisioned that more entrepreneurial spin-off opportunities would be created for Bahamians.

Already, that partnership forged between the public and the private sectors has yielded the creation of almost 20 pieces of legislation to enhance the operation of the financial services sector; the d-listing of The Bahamas from the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force [FATF] and the designation of this country as a "hot spot" for investments.

Also, according to financial services decision-makers, it has been responsible for the execution of recommendations by the International Monetary Fund [IMF] about offshore financial centres and increased support from investors in educational and training pursuits.

Soon after the Perry Christie-led Progressive Liberal Party took over the reins of governance on May 2, 2002 in a landslide victory, the prime minister created the Ministry of Financial Services and Investments.

Since then, the thrust of the ministry has been to advance the second most important industry in The Bahamas, the financial services sector, and help to secure much desired investments.

The total investments already underway amount to $4.6 billion, Minister Maynard-Gibson has disclosed, indicating that the total capital investments in projects already started is $1.3 billion.

Additionally, according to official figures, Bahamian contractors have been paid $418 million in contracts and some 6,000 new jobs have been created.

The minister also revealed that she is negotiating with Kerzner International, the operators of the popular Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, to boost its support of the light industry and begin significant retail purchases from Bahamian retailers.

Kerzner is considered the largest private sector employer in The Bahamas and also is in the middle of a third expansion for the mystical themed resort.

"We have been successful in ensuring that Bahamian contractors benefit from construction opportunities in The Bahamas," said the minister. "My ministry will work even more closely with engineers, architects, planners, interior designers and so forth to help them benefit even more from the unprecedented development now in The Bahamas."

Bahamas Jettou visits 'Atlantis' tourism station

The Prime Minister inspected different structures of the resort and was given explanations about this mega project, which attracts annually two million tourists from all over the world, particularly from Mexico's gulf and the USA.

The Kerzner International Limited group is also in charge of the construction of the Mazagan centre in al Jadida province, as part of the Plan Azur.

In his statement to the first Moroccan national TV channel, Jettou said that this visit aims at having an idea of what the Mazagan resort will be like. Its construction will start next summer.

“The creation of this centre aims at boosting development in Azemmour and al Jadida region and creating a new tourism pole in Morocco,” said the Prime Minister.

An agreement between the Moroccan government and the Kerzner International Limited group over the Mazagan Station project was signed in July 2004. The project is estimated to cost approximately MAD 5.3 billion.

Magazan centre, which covers about 500 ha, will globally comprise 8,000 beds. It will also include animation as well as commercial and entertainment equipments.

The resort will be constructed in three stages. The first will need an estimated MAD 2.4 billion, and hotels will open in August 2007.

Family Continues Search For Missing Atlantis Boater

TLANTIS, Fla. -- The U.S. Coast Guard has called off its search for Jim Trindale, but the missing Atlantis boater's family and friends say they're not giving up hope.

Trindale went missing on his way home Thursday from Spanish Cay in the Bahamas. The Coast Guard found his 38-foot Donzi idling with no one aboard in the waters off St. Lucie County on Friday.

Friends and family said they'll continue circling the Bahamas and the Florida coast with private planes and boats.

Trindale's wife said he's a strong swimmer and diver who knows how to survive in treacherous waters.

Trindale had been returning to Florida with friends following him in two other boats. After all three boats stopped in Grand Cay for refueling, Trindale's boat got ahead of the other two. Friends said he radioed that he would wait for them to catch up, but that was his last clear communication.

The Coast Guard discontinued their search for Trindale on Saturday.

Swimmers and divers train in Bahamas during break

For most students, winter break is a time to relax, spend the holidays with family and get away from the stress and strains of the school year.

For the Nebraska swimming and diving team, though, the time off was all these things and then some.

Since NU Coach Pablo Morales took over the program in 2001, the Cornhuskers have traveled to distant, warm locations to train, relax and get away from the cold and mundane Nebraska winters.

During Morales' first four years, the Huskers' have been to Boca Raton, Fla.; Flagstaff, Ariz.; Irvine, Calif.; and San Diego, Calif.

Earlier this month, Morales took his team all the way to Nassau, Bahamas, marking their first trip out of the U.S.

In their week in the Bahamas, the Huskers swam and trained outdoors, while at the same time touring the island paradise.

``It's nice to get away from Lincoln,'' senior Kate Dulgar said. ``It breaks up the training. It's the hardest part of our season, so it's kind of a treat for us.''

Before leaving, the Huskers usually train for a week at the Bob Devaney Sports Center Pool.

While on these trips, which usually last one to two weeks, Nebraska focuses primarily on extreme training and conditioning.

The sprinters work on lowering times through eliminating mistakes and speeding up turns.

Longer distance swimmers spend time on endurance training, turn motions and breathing control.

Morales said his team spends about four hours in the pool and another two conditioning and lifting.

The team also competes in a dual meet versus another collegiate team, usually from the U.S.

This year it was Michigan State, which Nebraska defeated 107-98 on a long-meter course.

The event was a little different from what the Huskers were used to, since they rarely swim in international pools.

In collegiate competitions, the pool length is 25 yards, but in international competition, the length is increased to 50 meters, or 54.68 yards.

Nebraska also got to swim outside, something they almost never do in Lincoln.

Morales said the weather was nice and warm, much better than last season's trip to San Diego.

``(San Diego) was the worst week of the year in terms of precipitation,'' Morales said. ``The week before it had been 80, and when we got there, a huge storm-front hit the West Coast for about the entire time we were there.''

Dolphins may be moved today

GULFPORT - Dolphins owned by Marine Animal Productions of Gulfport that are in four temporary locations in Gulfport and on the East Coast may be leaving for the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas today, according to several people working with the dolphins.

MAP president David Lion would not specify a date or even say whether the dolphins are leaving in an e-mail Tuesday, citing security concerns. He declined further requests for comment Wednesday.

However, several people working with the dolphins at the Gulfarium in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and at their temporary home on the Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport said Wednesday 16 of the 17 dolphins that once lived at Marine Life are scheduled to be collected and transported.

One dolphin, Tessie, is critically ill and being left behind in Florida. Her longtime poolmate, Cherry, will be taken away, said Stacey Coltraine, a former MAP dolphin trainer and current Gulfarium employee. Her odds of survival alone are poor, Coltraine said, because of the social nature of dolphins.

Coltraine said MAP has been preparing for at least a week to move them today.

"We have been asked to help," Coltraine said. "I can see the transport equipment now. They're being driven to Mobile, and flown out of Mobile."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency issued a letter Dec. 28, which allows the dolphins to be transported internationally and does not discuss the pending litigation between MAP owner Donald Jacobs and former MAP president Dr. Moby Solangi.

"The standard protocol is that they have a 60-day window to move the animals," said Jennifer Skidmore, Fisheries Management Specialist in the Office of Protective Services at NOAA Fisheries Service. "We were aware that there was litigation occurring but we weren't aware of any details of the litigation. So, at the present time, Marine Animal Productions has custody of the animals and under the marine animals protection act, it's within their rights to export them."

The case is being heard by Judge James H.C. Thomas Jr. of Hattiesburg.

Coltraine said a protest against the move has been organized in Fort Walton Beach for 11 a.m. and Solangi's lawyer, Beau Stewart, said there will also be a protest in Mobile.

Stewart said he believes that if the dolphins leave Thursday afternoon, it would be a "sale in fact," or de facto sale of the dolphins because there is an agreement filed in chancery court between MAP and the owners of Atlantis resort in which Atlantis owners will pay for the dolphins' transport and MAP will sell its stock to Atlantis owners by March 31.

Rusty Walker, president of "Save Our Dolphins," said there is a 10 a.m. hearing today that may affect the dolphins' move.

Skidmore said NOAA Fisheries could only ask for and not demand the dolphins return once they were abroad and the she was unsure of what kind of jurisdiction Thomas would have if the dolphins were in the Bahamas.