Several Family Islands are poised for "tremendous" growth in 2015, according to Minister of State for Investment Khaalis Rolle.
Speaking with Guardian Business at the recent sale of The Abaco Club on Winding Bay, Rolle said the sale and planned expansion of Marsh Harbour's airport facilities would provide a shot in the arm for Abaco's economy, while also offering a template for similar developments and public-private partnerships (PPPs) in other Family Islands.
"This will be the renewed energy for the economy of Abaco. We believe that [the sale] will generate tremendous opportunities, and a key to investments of this nature being successful is access. We have to look at how we can improve access via the expansion of the existing runway, and that's an ongoing discussion," he said.
Rolle added that while Exuma continues to lead the way for smaller family island development heading into 2015, Cat Island is poised for growth through an overhaul of its airport.
"We're very excited about the future projects. Some of the islands down in the southern chain we're still working on. We're in the final stages of approving the financing for the airport with Cat Island Partners Limited. Once that is done, you will see Cat Island take off," he said, noting that there are also proposals on the drawing board for Mayaguana.
Despite the prospects, Rolle acknowledged that many of the southern islands still faced substantial economic hurdles going into the New Year due to the need for extensive investment in infrastructure.
"Some islands develop a lot quicker than others because of the existing infrastructure. As for those that are still developing, when you look at the infrastructure that's needed, they are still underdeveloped," Rolle said.
The government has made a noticeable push for public-private partnerships in recent months, arguing that the partnerships are crucial in developing the requisite infrastructure to stimulate growth in underdeveloped Family Islands. The government has pledged $150 million to renovate at least four airports throughout the country in 2015.

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