Business leaders say be-cause Abaco is performing so well, it has been able to make a considerable contribution to the treasury. But some of them also feel that Abaco is not receiving the attention it deserves.
“This is an important time to be in Abaco,” said Joan Albury, President of The Counsellors and co-ordinator of the third Abaco Business Outlook on September 20. The objective of the conference is to look at issues affecting Abaco over the next 12 months.
“There is a lot going on in Abaco, including developments. But there are a lot of challenges as well,” Ms Albury added. However, at a press conference yesterday, business and financial leaders pointed out some of the leading indicators that spell a robust economy for Abaco.
“Based on the revenue coming [into businesses] on the island, and all the newspaper reports of activity on Abaco … you get a sense that a lot of things are happening there,” said Keith Major, vice president of marketing and sales at ColinaImperial. “There is this sense that there is a really buoyant economy,” added Mr Major, who will speak about financial planning at the conference next week.
Fully booked flights to Abaco on a regular basis and crowed restaurants around the island are also some of the indicators of how well the economy is performing.
Dr Livingston Marshall, Ba-ker’s Bay senior vice president of environmental and community affairs, added that more tourists to the island and a thriving second home market also point to growth. Further, he said anchor projects on that island have contributed to a healthier economy as well.
But despite the rosy economic picture, the business community in Abaco also have some concerns. The more pressing issues include the environment and infrastructure development.
Dr Marshall, who will give an update on Baker’s Bay at the seminar, said, “The airport is really now at a critical point where it has to be expanded and improved.” The harbour also requires “some cleaning up,” Ms Albury said.
“People are questioning whether or not the infrastructure is keeping up with the pace of development, so we are going to have speakers at The Abaco Business Outlook that would address this concern,” Ms Albury explained.
But the business community also feels that immigration issues and utility setbacks hamper further development.
Earl Deveaux, marketing director at Lucayan Tropical Produce, called for stronger public and private sector linkages in building Abaco’s wealth.
By: BARRY WILLIAMS, The Nassau Guardian
