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| Just over four and one half years ago the Bahamian people entrusted their government to the Free National Movement. Among our primary objectives as the Government was the mobilisation of the human and financial resources of our Commonwealth, together with such other international resources which we might successfully attract to The Bahamas under terms and conditions beneficial to Bahamians and investors alike. While seeking to advance the interests of all citizens we opted to place major emphasis on preparing our nation’s youth for the challenges and the opportunities which will come with the twenty-first century. We also committed to providing improved care for the poor, the ill, the aged and the infirm. Many measures and many innovations have been designed and implemented to address the structural imbalances of our society, both social and economic. And, in essential and elemental areas, large numbers of Bahamians are better off now than they were prior to the election of 1992. The Free National Movement has successfully restored The Bahamas to its proper place among the respected, properly governed and administered states of the world community. We have restored the good name of The Bahamas internationally. Critical to all of this has been and will continue to be, the enlightened economic policies and the fiscal discipline which have been central to the dramatic economic turnaround and the overall good fortune which The Bahamas is | currently experiencing.
Not only has the tourism industry been revitalised, but we have implemented policies to create linkages between our tourism industry and our manufacturing, agricultural and fisheries sectors; thereby measurably expanding the use of Bahamian-produced foods, Bahamian-made products and Bahamian services in hotels and resorts throughout the country.
This is a most significant achievement as The Bahamas today must compete with 191 other states, and numerous dependent territories for tourism, trade and investment.
It is our intention to enact legislation which will eradicate from The Bahamas all vestiges of discrimination against women, and which will guarantee for every Bahamian in the work force, and in the wider community, equality of opportunity which cannot be compromised either in the public sector, or in the private sector. Manifesto II details our Agenda for The Bahamas into the 21st century. We have promoted and facilitated the expansion of Bahamian entrepreneurship. In small guest houses and resorts, in light manufacturing and cottage industries, and in broadcast journalism, career opportunities have been created for enterprising Bahamians. It is of tremendous importance that Bahamians, particularly young Bahamians, be provided with the education and training that will enable them to compete in the sophisticated technologi |
| cal environment which the twenty-first century will bring. Accordingly, the education system is being upgraded throughout the nation.
In various ways the Free National Movement Government has done much to preserve and to enhance the institutions of democracy and the mechanisms empowering the Bahamian people to enjoy the fullest use of the democratic processes and practices.
We removed, once and for all, the cloak of secrecy which had shrouded the people’s business. In fulfilment of our commitment to transparency and integrity in the governance of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas we have given this our highest priority.
It is of tremendous importance that Bahamians, particularly young Bahamians, be provided with the education and training that will enable them to compete in the sophisticated technological environment which the twenty-first century will bring. Accordingly, the education system is being upgraded throughout the nation. Indeed, since 1992 a level of accountability and transparency unparalleled in our nation’s history - and, indeed, unprecedented in this part of the world - has been firmly established in the conduct of public affairs in our Bahamas. The Government’s policies in the areas of health, education, social development (including housing) and youth development, have been consistent with our pledge to ensure that economic benefits accrue to the young, the aged, |
the infirm and women.
The "Fundamental Tenets" of our Party and of our Government remain as they were enunciated in Manifesto 92: We seek the evolution of a society marked by full employment and secure jobs, safe streets, good schools, adequate, accessible and affordable health care; a social security net for those least able to care for themselves, the children, the orphaned and widowed and the aged of society, a society marked by love of God, and by compassion for our fellow citizens. We strive for the enhancement of educational standards and the expansion of educational and training opportunities so that our young people will be better equipped to lead purposeful, productive lives. We seek to establish a broadly based community health care system, for the entire country, and geared to produce a healthy, productive population. We pursue social accord so that Bahamians and visitors can enjoy the full beauty of our islands peacefully, without fear or hindrance, intimidation or victimisation. We consciously promote mutual trust and harmony between the people of our Bahamaland, whatever their ethnic origins or social circumstances. We labour for the strengthening and expansion of our economy so that all Bahamians who want to work, can work, can achieve a better living standard, and can improve the quality of their lives. |
| And, we remain resolute in our dedication to fair play, integrity, transparency and accountability in all public matters. We have lived and conducted the people’s business in accordance with these fundamentals. Four years later, it is better in our Bahamaland; our future is more secure; and our young people can aspire to greater achievements and happiness. | Once again The Bahamas is a world leader in upscale tourism, achieving record highs in tourism revenue. Unprecedented levels of investment are transforming this sector which is the engine that drives our economy. |