Parliamentarians, Stalwart Councilors, Officers, Members and supporters of the Progressive Liberal Party, a pleasant good evening. I thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to address you this balmy evening. Grand Bahama is of great importance to the economy of the Bahamas because of its diversified economy ranging from tourism, ship repair and farming to pharmaceutical manufacturing and petroleum storage, blending and distribution.

The recent announcement of the tax reform measures by the Prime Minister is of particular importance to Grand Bahama because it is the industrial and manufacturing hub of the Bahamas. For the Value Added Tax regime to succeed, these sectors must be returned to their full economic strength.

After suffering through an unnecessarily long recession and economic stagnation, your newly elected PLP is addressing the concerns of Grand Bahama with the focus and vigour this island rightly deserves beginning with the