Hurricane czar pledges SME focus

Wed, Oct 19th 2016, 03:34 PM


Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson delivers an address during the Diplomatic Week conference on Tueday. (Photo: File)

Hurricane czar Shane Gibson said the government will work with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) on strategies and programs to assist small businesses in restarting in order to get the local economy moving again especially on Grand Bahama and North Andros.

Those islands were said to be most affected by Hurricane Matthew.

Gibson said it is going to take a public-private sector approach towards a speedy recovery in the wake of the Category 4 storm.

A full and complete assessment of the damage is currently underway, Gibson said. He asserted that both the public and private sectors would have to be involved in the recovery process.

Gibson confirmed that an exigency order had been signed by the government, which he said would allow for the duty free importation of building materials, vehicles, furniture and other items that were lost or damaged due to the hurricane.

Guardian Business obtained an unsigned copy of the order. The unsigned order is backdated to October 7, 2016 and runs until April 4, 2017. The islands covered include New Providence, Grand Bahama, Berry Islands, North and Central Andros.

Gibson said that the government has also identified a number of programs to assist persons in facilitating repairs to their homes.

"These will include repairs for qualified homeowners, the provision of materials for the repair of homes and small loans for certain qualified persons without insurance," he said.

While speaking at the Diplomatic Week conference, Gibson outlined the importance of the storm's impact on New Providence and Grand Bahama.

Xian Smith, Guardian Business Reporter

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