Population: 301,790 Land area: 13,940 square Km Capital: Nassau Language(s): English Local Currency: Bahamian dollar (BSD) Exchange: BSD$1=US$1 UNDP Human Development Rank: 49 of 177 Life Expectancy: 72.3 yrs Adult Literacy rate: 95.5 Official Government website: http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/

• Governor General - Sir. Arthur FOULKES
• Prime Minister - Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM
• Deputy Prime Minister - Theodore  Brent SYMONETTE
• Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources - Lawrence CARTWRIGHT
• Minister of Education - T. Desmond BANNISTER 
• Minister of Environment - Earl D DEVEAUX
• Minister of Finance - Hubert Alexander INGRAHAM
• Minister of Foreign Affairs - Theodore "Brent" SYMONETTE
• Minister of Health - Dr. Hubert A. MINNIS
• Minister of Housing - A. Kenneth RUSSELL
• Minister of Lands & Local Government - Sidney COLLIE
• Minister of Labour & Social Development - Dion FOULKES
• Minister of Legal Affairs - John K F DELANEY
• Minister of National Security - Tommy TURNQUEST
• Minister of Public Works and Transport - Neko C. GRANT
• Minister of Tourism and Aviation - Vincent VANDERPOOL-WALLACE 
• Youth, Sports & Culture - Charles T. MAYNARD 
• Minister of State for Finance - Zhivargo S. LAING
• Minister of State for Lands and Local Government - Bryan S. WOODSIDE 
• Minister of State for Social Services - Loretta TURNER-BUTLER
• Attorney General - John K F DELANEY
• Governor, Central Bank - Julian W. FRANCIS
• Ambassador to the US - Joshua SEARS
• Permanent Representative to the UN, New York - Paulette A. BETHEL

Public Holidays: New Year's Day (01 January); Good Friday; Easter Monday; Whit Monday; Labour Day (02 June); Independence Day (10 July); Emancipation Day (04 August); Discovery Day (12 October); Christmas Day (25 December); Boxing Day (26 December) Holidays that fall on Saturday or Sunday are observed on the following Monday

Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2010-2011

According to ECLAC'S flagship publication, "Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean" The Bahamian economy registered a modest recovery in 2010 with growth of 0.9% following a 5.4% decline in 2009. The economy benefited from a rebound in tourism triggered by the upturn in the United States, its major market. This rebound, together with buoyant activity in offshore financial services, helped to compensate for the weaker performance of the construction sector. Inflation declined as food and clothing prices fell. There are no official data, but employment, especially in tourism, was expected to pick up with the more buoyant economic activity. The fiscal situation deteriorated in fiscal year 2009/2010 as revenues declined more sharply than expenditure, but there was an improvement in 2010/2011. Meanwhile, the balance-of-payments current account deficit contracted moderately to 9.9% of GDP, as higher tourism receipts outweighed the increase in the trade deficit.
Source: ECLAC

Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2009-2010
According to ECLAC's most recent survey recessionary conditions in the Bahamas deepened in 2009, with real GDP falling by 4.3%. Weakened tourism demand in major markets led to a decline in stay-over arrivals and reduced average spending. Value added in offshore financial services was also down due to the recession in major markets. The slump in activity caused unemployment to increase sharply to 14.2%. Inflation moderated to 1.3% because of declining oil and other commodity prices.
source: ECLAC

• Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2008-2009
  

The survey provides an overview of the economic performance of countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for the year 2008 and their outlook for 2009. The last chapter presents country briefs of the seven most developed countries (MDCs) in the Caribbean – Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago – together with a subregional assessment of the eight member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).
General Trends for Bahamas
The Bahamian economy contracted by 1.7% in 2008, relative to growth of 0.7% in 2007. The downturn in major markets, especially in the second half of the year led to a slump in demand for tourism services and a sharp fall in FDI that dampened construction activity. Real value added in financial services was buoyant in 2008. Reflecting the impact of higher fuel15 and food prices, inflation leaped far above trend from 2.9% in 2007 to 4.5%, in 2008.
One of the knock-on effects of the accelerated decline in activity in the second half of the year was a spike in unemployment to 12% at the end of December compared with 7.9% in May 2008.
source: ECLAC

• Economic Performance

According to ECLAC's Preliminary Overview of the Caribbean 2008-2009 Country brief, the slowdown of the United States’ economy has triggered a marked deceleration in the growth rate of the Bahamian economy, to 1.5% relative to 2.8% in 2007. Tourism demand and construction have softened and FDI inflows have also lessened. In the wake of weakened private sector activity, the government engaged in some fiscal stimulus to maintain growth and employment; thus the fiscal stance has deteriorated somewhat during the early part of fiscal year 2008/09. Growth for 2009 is forecast at 0.5%, however, the outcome will be strongly contingent on the length and depth of the slowdown and financial crisis in the United States, the Bahamas’ major market.

Tourism

Activity has slowed in the tourism and financial services, the drivers of the economy, especially in the latter part of the year. Real growth of 1.5% is expected relative to 2.8% in 2007. During the first seven months of 2008, total visitor arrivals declined by 3.2%, as a 5.9% fall in sea visitors offset the 2.2% increase in air visitors. Moreover, the prospect for the full year is somewhat more depressed, as travel demand continues to soften in the wake of more intense fallout from the financial crisis in the United States market, which generates about 87% of tourists
to the Bahamas. This is particularly worrisome as tourism accounts for around 50% of GDP and employs about 60% of the labour force. In 2009, GDP growth is expected to slow to 0.5% as weakened global demand affects domestic activity.

• Economic Survey of the Caribbean 2007-2008

The survey provides an overview of the economic performance of countries of the Caribbean Development and Cooperation Committee (CDCC) for the year 2007 and their outlook for 2008. The last chapter presents country briefs with the main macroeconomic developments in 2007 and the outlook for 2008.

Despite sound macroeconomic management over the last years, economic growth in the Bahamas slowed in 2007 but nevertheless remained solid. Real output grew by 2.8%, compared to a 4.6% increase in 200644. A slowing in construction activity and reduced growth in credit expansion partly offset the impetus from improved tourism. Reflecting higher costs of furniture and household goods and the strong pass-through of international fuel and food prices, December-on-December inflation picked up to 2.9%, remaining at a moderate level but surpassing the 2.3% registered in 2006.
Government finances weakened during fiscal year 2006/07, as the overall fiscal deficit doubled to 1.6% of GDP. Fiscal performance was undermined by the slowdown in economic activity, which led to sluggish growth in revenue, which was outpaced by the rise in spending.

• Economic Activity for 2008

According to the Bahamas Quarterly Economic Review, March 2009, preliminary data suggests that domestic economic activity contracted during the first quarter of 2009. Conditions were characterized by a sharp decline in tourism output, softer consumer demand and reduced stimulus to construction activity from foreign investments. However, as global price pressures further moderated, inflation trended lower, continuing to ebb from the peak levels attained during the middle of 2008.

Fiscal operations remained adversely impacted by the weakness in the economy, with the comparative deficit widened during the third quarter of FY2008/09, as a result of a reduction in revenues and increased outlays. On the monetary front, the seasonal rebuilding of bank liquidity occurred within a more subdued private sector credit environment but with narrowed gains in the deposit base.

Meanwhile, the reduction in domestic demand and lower oil prices contributed to a significant decline in the trade deficit and a reversal in the estimated current account balance to a modest surplus. However, the capital account surplus contracted, based on the slowdown in private foreign investment inflows.

• Report on the Financial Sector

entitled: GROSS ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF THE FINANCIAL SECTOR IN THE BAHAMAS (2008)

The report summarizes the results of the Central Bank’s 2008 survey on the gross economic contribution of
the financial sector to The Bahamas. Data on the banking sector’s involvement in the economy have been collected
from as early as 1977. Over the past eight years, the Bank has sought to expand its coverage to capture the
contribution of other financial sector entities, including insurance companies, credit unions, mutual fund administrators and financial and corporate services providers. Bahamas Quarterly Economic Review, pg. 37

• Inflation

The rate of inflation softened to 1.6% in 2006 compared to 2.1% in 2005, however unemployment remained stabled at 10.6%.[Source:The World Factbook

Bahamas Investment Incentives

The attractiveness of a low-tax environment and a stable currency are enhanced by a series of investment incentives that provide relief from customs duties on approved raw materials, equipment and building supplies, as well as allowing exemptions from real property taxes for up to 20 years......
source: Government of the Bahamas

Bahamas battling competition for Chinese travelers

NASSAU (December 2, 2009) — Ministry of Tourism & Aviation officials on Tuesday urged travel partners to continue to help strengthen the Bahamas’ reputation in China as several countries are now moving aggressively to entice a greater share of Chinese travelers.
Bahamas. Tourism Today

Countering the 'dumbing down' of the Bahamas

December 07 2009.  MINISTRY of Tourism and Aviation is planning to exploit the explosion of social media to counter the "dumbing down" of the Bahamas, and when it comes to countering negative publicity via this mechanism "there is no substitute for getting the visitor experience right".
source: The Tribune

Tourism Statistics

The Research and Statistics Department collects and processes data from surveys conducted at airports, cruise ship ports of entry and marinas. The Department also collects secondary statistics from tourism partners.
source: Bahamas. Tourism Today

2005 Latin America and the Caribbean Selected Economic and Social Data

The 2005 edition of Latin America and the Caribbean: Selected Economic and Social Data (the LAC Databook), includes the most recent data at the time of publication from a multitude of international and national sources. The Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean of the US Agency for International Development presents this Databook with the goal of gathering and presenting the most up-to-date information possible from official country sources and leading international institutions."
Source:USAID

2005 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices (Western Hemisphere)

All men and women desire and deserve to live in dignity and liberty. As President Bush said: "The advance of freedom is the great story of our time." Promoting human rights and democracy is a worldwide phenomenon and there is a growing global discussion of democracy and the universal values protected by democratic governance.

By defending and advancing human rights and democratic principles, we keep faith with our country’s most cherished values and lay the foundation for lasting peace. Fulfilling the promise of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and building vibrant democracies worldwide will take generations, but it is work of the utmost urgency that cannot be delayed.
Source:US Dept. of State

International Narcotics Control Strategy Report for 2006

Illicit Drugs Shipped Through Caribbean Nations to U.S., Europe

The report cites Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica as major transit points. As a result of their geographic location, many nations of the Caribbean are utilized as transit countries to shift cocaine, marijuana and other illicit drugs from South America to the United States, Europe and elsewhere, according to the U.S. State Department's International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) for 2006.
Source:U.S. Department of State

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL REPORT 2006 - BAHAMAS

Death sentences were imposed by the courts. No executions were carried out. Detained asylum-seekers and migrants, the majority black Haitian nationals, were held in harsh conditions and reportedly ill-treated. Reports of police abuses continued.

Death penalty

The courts continued to pass death sentences. No executions took place. At the end of 2005, there were at least 39 prisoners on death row. Numerous people, including the Commissioner of Police, called for the resumption of executions in reaction to an increase in violent crime.

In April, 12 prisoners on death row at the Fox Hill Prison staged a three-day hunger strike to protest at their “inhumane” conditions. Inmates alleged inadequate sanitation, food, water and medical care. In October a new prison building was commissioned, for completion in 2007.

Police abuses

There were continued reports of police brutality. In January a riot erupted in Nassau Village after police allegedly abused Haitian women and shot a young man aged 19 in the face. A police investigation had not concluded by the end of 2005.

Asylum-seekers and migrants

There were continued reports of abuses against asylum-seekers and other detainees at the Carmichael Detention Centre. Inmates were reportedly beaten and received inadequate medical attention, food and water. Asylum-seekers were forcibly returned to countries including Cuba and Haiti without access to a full and fair determination procedure.

Hostility increased towards Haitian immigrants, unofficially estimated at 60,000 out of a population of 300,000. In 2005, according to the Department of Immigration, 5,543 irregular immigrants – 4,504 from Haiti – were forcibly returned to their countries of origin.

AI country visits. In May, AI sent a police expert to provide human rights training to members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
Source:Amnesty International

The Ministry of Education Strategic Plan 2004

The Plan seeks to maintain an efficient Communications Section with trained personnel who convey information to promote the Ministry with positive conviction, sensitivity and enthusiasm. 

Coordinate and facilitate training in the areas of Protocol, script writing, research techniques and computer applicationsfor the section members and Liaison officers at all schools.
 
Provide technical assistance on layout and design of promotional materials for Conferences and seminars e.g. Invitations/ Programmes, booklets and special occasion pamphlets

EFA in the Caribbean: Assessment 2000

In 1993, concerned about the extent and the quality of the returns resulting from the considerable investment being made in education, the Government of The Bahamas commissioned a Task Force to undertake a review of the educational system in all its aspects at the primary and secondary levels and to make recommendations to bring about improved efficiency and effectiveness in the education product.
Source: UNESCO. EFA 2000 Assessment

A Global Report REDUCING DISASTER RISK: A CHALLENGE FOR DEVELOPMENT 2004
The Report addresses four key questions: - How are disaster risks and human vulnerability to natural hazards distributed globally between countries ? - What are the development factors and underlying processes that configure development? - H ow can appropriate development policy and practice contribute to the reduction of disaster risks? - How can disaster risk assessment be enhanced in order to inform development policy and practice?

The Disaster Risk Index (DRI),which is presented as the centrepiece of this Report, is a first step in addressing these questions.The DRI provides the first global assessment of disaster risk factors through a c o u n t ry - b y - c o u n t ry comparison of human vulnerability and exposure to three critical natural hazards :earthquake, tropical cycl ones and flooding, and the identification of development factors that contribute to risk. Volcanic eruption is important internationally, but lacks sufficient data for analysis at this time (see Technical Annex).

Similarly, the development of a drought DRI revealed a series of unresolved methodological and conceptual challenges, which imply that its results do not yet have the required degree of confidence. Nevertheless, the e x p l o ra t i on of these ch a llenges in itself prov i d e s important insights into drought risk and vulnerability and is presented in the Report as a work in progress. Reliance on internationally available data and the use of human deaths as a proxy for disaster losses meant that certain types of disasters were excluded from the model. An example of this is fire, which can cause widespread damage with few deaths.
Source:UNDP

Solid Waste Management

Statistical Databases

Tourist Arrivals By Country Of Residence

UN DATA: a world of information

Selected Statistical Indicators for BAHAMAS
UN Statistics Division for BAHAMAS: MDG Indicators 
Caribbean Social Statistics Database
Caribbean Trade Statistical Database

POLICY STATEMENTS The Government of The Bahamas holds the view that information and communications technologies are fundamental to the sustainable growth and development of the Bahamian economy across all sectors. Having regard to this, the Government has set as a long-term, broad-based objective, the transformation of the Bahamian economy to a digitalone as a means of generating viable opportunities for Bahamians to participate in the globaleconomy. The realisation of such opportunities will come about through the pervasive use of the Internet to engage in activities such as e-commerce, e-learning, e-health, e-government services and certain niche markets within the supply chain

STRATEGIC PLAN The Government of the Bahamas has developed a detailed ICT Strategy articulated in a document entitled:Policy statement on electronic commerce and the Bahamian digital agenda. January 2003. The document details an action plan and proposes institutional arrangements in respect of e-business, the telecommunications infrastructure, legal, financial, content and human resource development issues, and e-government.

LEADING INSTITUTIONS :Ministry of Finance. Data Processing Unit. Ministry of Works and Utilities (Telecommunications regulation)

NEWS

e-GOVERNMENT The government is committed to the expansion of its wide area network connecting of all government agencies, accelerating the development of online processes to facilitate business. The Government will also place as priority the coordination of regulatory policy among various Government entities that will promote transition to a digital economy; upgrade infrastructure for the delivery of government information including converting public information to electronic form; and continue work on the expansion and enhancement of the Government portal and website.

ENABLING LEGISLATIONS AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE LEGAL RECOGNITION OF ELECTRONIC WRITING, ELECTRONIC CONTRACTS, ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES AND ORIGINAL INFORMATION IN ELECTRONIC FORM IN RELATION TO COMMERCIAL AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE FACILITATION OF ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED MATTERS.

PUBLICATIONS/DOCUMENTS  Telecommunication Policy and Network Development ITU. CASE STUDY OF THE CHANGING INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENVIRONMENT: The Bahamas, Final Report, February 1998. This section presents an overview of the telecommunications sector in the Bahamas, the government’s policy and the industry’s degree of development. 2.1 Telecommunications sector policy and regulation 2.1.1 Current regulatory framework Telecommunications in the Bahamas began in 1892 with the connection of the first submarine cable from Florida in the United States, at what is still known as Cable Beach. The first manual exchange was installed in 1906; thus, international communication preceded domestic telephone service by some 12 years. Regulation and control of services came under the state Telegraph and Telephone Department (later Telecommunications Department), until the passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1966. This created a state-owned corporation, Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation or BaTelCo, which still operates as a quasi-public monopoly in most services today.

ICT INDICATORS collected by Statistical Offices

• Bahamas public servants demand more money
  

By Krystel Rolle. April 28, 2011
NASSAU, Bahamas -- The Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU) is petitioning the government to lift the freeze it placed on
public service promotions and increments, arguing that inflation is overwhelming the resources of public servants.

• Top economist: 'Bahamas might not meet' 2012 debt slash target

December 08, 2009.
ROYAL Bank of Canada's chief global economist yesterday said that while the Government "might not meet" its 2012 target for reducing this nation's debt-to-GDP ratio, the Bahamas' track record of relative "fiscal prudence" was to be commended, since it had given the Ingraham administration the fiscal headroom to respond to the recession. Source: The Tribune

• Bahamas PM speaks on measures to counter global economic crisis
  

by Llonella Gilbert. Tuesday, July 21, 2009  

NASSAU, Bahamas (BIS) -- The Bahamas has employed a number of mitigating measures to alleviate the short-term negative shock to highly vulnerable sectors of the society occasioned by the global economic crisis, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said.

• Ministers Sworn In
  By Juan McCartney
  The Bahama Journal, 8th May 2007
  The remaining ministers in Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s cabinet were sworn in at a ceremony at Government House Monday evening during which time the prime minister promoted the need for national unity.