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TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

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Bahamas ‘dodges junk status bullet’ Retains investment grade despite Moody’s downgrade Outlook upgrade positive for Gov’t, economy Bran: ‘Breathing space to get our house in order’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net The Bahamas yesterday “dodged a bullet” after Moody’s chose not to downgrade its creditworthiness to ‘junk’ status’, and instead upgraded its outlook on this nation to ‘stable’.

The international credit rating agency maintained the Bahamas’ ‘investment grade’ status at the lowest possible level, downgrading its creditworthiness by one notch - from ‘Baa2’ to ‘Baa3’ - but that was as bad as it got for the Government.

Apart from avoiding ‘junk’ status, the Christie administration can take positives from Moody’s decision to upgrade its outlook on this nation’s economic and fiscal prospects to ‘stable’.

K P Turnquest and Branville McCartney This implies that the Bahamas faces no prospect of a further Moody’s downgrade in the short to medium term, with the rating agency saying it expected both the $6.778 billion national debt and economic growth to “stabilise” within the next two years.

Moody’s, in an upbeat assessment of the Bahamas’ immediate prospects, said it expected this nation’s economic growth prospects to “strengthen” between now and 2018, returning to levels close to its 1-1.5 per cent.

However, it acknowledged that the

Bahamas’ economic and fiscal fundamentals - especially its strength - had “materially decreased”, and this nation has much work ahead of it to return to a sustainable fiscal and growth path.

K P Turnquest, the Opposition’s deputy leader and finance spokesman, told Tribune Business that the Bahamas had “dodged a bullet” after Moody’s chose not to downgrade this nation to ‘junk’ status (see other article on Page 1B).

He described the rating agency’s one-notch downgrade as “fair”, and added that it represented “mixed news” for the Bahamas and its economy.

Branville McCartney, the Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader, described Moody’s verdict and accompanying analysis as “bittersweet” for the Bahamas and its economy.

While this nation had avoided the “devastating” impact of a downgrade to ‘junk’ status, Mr McCartney said Moody’s had effectively “given us breathing space to get our house in order again” (see other article on SEE PAGE B4

Moody’s downgrade Tourism ‘wipe out’ branded ‘bittersweet’ concern over Zika

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net Moody’s decision to slash the Bahamas’ sovereign credit rating, but maintain it at investment grade, was yesterday described as “bittersweet” by the Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader.

Branville McCartney told Tribune Business that the Bahamas was fortunate to have avoided the “devastating” consequences of its creditworthiness being cut to so-called ‘junk’ status, which would have affected both foreign direct investment (FDI) and the Government’s borrowing costs.

He added that Moody’s almost seemed to be “holding our hand”, as he suggested that the Christie administration “has some work to do” to reverse both the fiscal decline and the country’s weak economic growth.

“What it tells us is that the international community has almost given us an opportunity to make a change in terms of where we are,” Mr McCartney told Tribune Business of Moody’s actions.

“It guess it’s bittersweet; a bittersweet type of report given by Moody’s. It’s a downgrade, but it’s not too significant.”

He added: “They are holding our hand and giving us breathing space to get our house in order

Bran: Junk cut would have been ‘devastating’ Gov’t confident of short-term rating ‘improvement’ FNM deputy describes agency’s action as ‘fair’ again. For that, I guess we have to thank them.”

Moody’s cut the Bahamas’ sovereign credit rating from ‘Baa2’ to ‘Baa3’, one notch above ‘junk’ status, as a result of “weaker economic strength” and low growth, combined with the “persistent increase” in the national debt to $6.778 despite the Government’s fiscal consolidation programme.

“They’re saying again that the Government has some work to do,” the DNA leader added. “We must make sure we diversify this economy, get people back to work, that Baha Mar is solved, and that the system of governance we have todate is working.

“It calls for transparency and accountability. It calls for putting anti-corruption measures in place so that we can be a country trusted in terms of doing business.

“It calls for doing business in this country to be made easy as opposed to a SEE PAGE B4

Canada issues Bahamas travel advisory Opposition calls for ‘aggressive response’ Bahamians urged not to be ‘alarmist’, scare visitors

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net The Opposition’s deputy leader yesterday warned that the outbreak of the Zika virus in the Bahamas could “wipe out our tourism industry altogether”, with Canada already having issued a travel advisory on this nation.

K P Turnquest, speaking after the Government confirmed there were now four Zika cases in

New Providence, called on the relevant Government agencies to employ an “aggressive” approach to combating and eradicating the virus.

“That is a very big concern,” he told Tribune Business of the announcement by Dr Perry Gomez, minister of health.

“That [Zika] has the potential to wipe out the tourism industry altogether. We hope the Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Health SEE PAGE B5

Creditors hail PM for ‘not blinking’ in Baha Mar talks Construction to restart in September Christie: Bahamians, including ex-staff, to be paid But no announcement on new owner for project

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Bahamian contractors and other Baha Mar creditors yesterday hailed Prime Minister Perry Christie and his government for “not blinking” in negotiations with China for payment of multimillion dollar sums owed to them.

The praise came as Mr Christie last night unveiled a Supreme SEE PAGE B6

Insurers: Treat NHI adviser with a ‘pinch of salt’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net Bahamian insurers yesterday hit back at the rosy National Health Insurance (NHI) picture being painted by the Government’s chief consultants, arguing that their comments should be “taken with a pinch of salt”.

The Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA), in a riposte to comments by Dr Mark Britnell, head of KPMG’s 4,000-strong global healthcare practice, denied his suggestion that the industry had met with the accounting firm on NHI last week.

The Association, in a hard-hitting statement, also directly contradicted Dr Britnell’s glowing assessment of the Government’s NHI Policy Paper, describing it as “lacking in substance”.

Reiterating its belief that NHI’s public insurer, Bahama Care, has “no economic justification” and is a political tool, the BIA also called on the Government and KPMG to release studies SEE PAGE B5

BIA hits at rosy picture painted by KPMG Slam scheme’s Policy Paper as ‘lacking substance’ Deny meeting, and label public insurer ‘political tool’

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PAGE 2, Tuesday, August 23, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Sanigest work defended BFSB launches industry awards

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Permanent Secretary to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Secretariat Peter Deveaux-Isaacs yesterday defended the Government’s former NHI consultant Sanigest Internacional, noting that much of its work was being incorporated into the work of KPMG. Mr Deveaux-Isaacs, while speaking at a press conference to announce the launch of a request for proposal or services relating to the public insurer under the NHI plan said: “Sanigest did a lot of credible work for the NHI plan. Much of the work has been incorporated into what KPMG is doing.”

The Christie administration contracted Dr Mark Britnell, chairman of the accounting firm KPMG’s 4,000-strong global health practice, as its latest NHI consultant earlier

this year.

The Government has set aside $24m to create a special fund for patients with catastrophic medical problems during the first phase of NHI. Dr Delon Brennen, deputy chief medical officer, noted that catastrophic coverage across the primary, secondary and tertiary phase of NHI would cost significantly more.

“What this roll-out allows us to do is start from the core of what health needs to be and should be - that is primary care,” Dr Brennen said.

“There is a small portion of the population that does need to have high cost intervention addressed right now so there will be a $20 million fund to be able to start implementing those things.

“We are designing how that is going to happen in consultation with healthcare providers in the country and administrators of healthcare plans and our health care facilities as well.”

The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) yesterday said it had opened nominations in five categories for the 2016 Financial Services Industry Excellence Awards.

The five categories are: * Executive of the Year - chief executive level * Professional of the Year Management or supervisory level * Achiever of the Year - Junior and support levels * Financial Services development and promotion awards * Mentor of the Year Started in 2001, the Financial Services Industry Excellence Awards recognise - and pay tribute to - the persons that drive the sector.

The Awards programme is coordinated in collaboration with the Professional Industry Association Working Group (PIAWG), and this year’s Gala Awards Din-

ner will be held on Friday, November 18, at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort.

The nominations guidelines and forms are available at the BFSB. The deadline for submissions is September 30.

A Blue Ribbon Panel will be meeting after the nominations deadline to select the 2016 recipients, who will be revealed at The Gala Awards Dinner.

Special Awards will also be presented in the following categories * The ‘BFSB Appreciation Award’ for consistent support to the organisation, and its development and promotional activities * The ‘Minister’s Award’, “recognising excellence in financial services”. * A Lifetime Achievement Award for long service and substantial contribution to the industry.

The following persons were recognised for their contribution in 2015: 1.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Betty Roberts, president, First Trust Bank 2. Executive of the Year: Denise Curry Turnquest, senior vicepresident, credit risk, Commonwealth Bank 3. Mentor of the Year: Franklyn Thomas, senior manager, consumer lending, Commonwealth Bank 4. Professional of the Year: Andrea Azeez Quant, vice-president of banking and finance, The Winterbotham Trust Company 5. Achiever of the Year: Lorca Bowe, risk officer, business risk department, UBS Trustees (Bahamas) 6. Student of the Year: Dava Bullard, BBA Accounting, now staff accountant at Ernst & Young

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, August 23, 2016, PAGE 3

Public insurer ‘critical’ to NHI roll-out

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net THE National Health Insurance (NHI) Secretariat yesterday defended the establishment of a government owned and privately managed public insurer.

Damara Dillet, the NHI Secretariat’s legal consultant, said yesterday that based on having looked at other NHI models around the world, the public insurer is a critical component to NHI roll-out.

The Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA), and its member life and health insurers, argued that creating the public insurer, to be known as Bahama Care, would be a great expense and waste of taxpayer monies by the Government, given that its role would be duplicated by the private sector.

“They did share their concerns about the public insurer but the Government has taken the opportunity to make the decision that is in the best interest of the Bahamian public.

“We have taken a look at

models around the world and the public insurer is a critical and vital component to the NHI roll-out. I don’t know that there is an NHI plan that exists that excludes a public insurer,” said Ms Dillet.

She was speaking yesterday at the launch of a request for proposal (RFP) or services relating to the Public Insurer under the NHI plan. The NHI Secretariat said that the Government is seeking an experienced provider to provide third party management, administration and wellness services

for beneficiaries and health providers registered with the Insurer.

“Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to, claims and case management; health risk management; provision of data security; communications with NHI beneficiaries and health care providers; the creation, implementation and monitoring of a wellness programme; and the fiduciary management of NHI funds,” she said. Responses to the RFP are due no later than October 7.

“We hope that the process with the advice of our con-

sultants KPMG will ensure that the best suited company is the one that is selected to manage the public insurer,” said Dillet. She noted that the public insurer will only administer NHI benefits.

“Any benefits above and beyond that we refer to is top-up or supplemental.

That aspect will exclusively be available through the private insurance industry.

“The public insurer will not take part in that particular market,” said Ms Dillet.

Ms Dillet stressed that the public insure will fall under the regulatory ambit of The Bahamas Insurance Com-

mission.

“The Insurance Commission has been clear on the mandate that whatever is done with the public insurer must fall in line with the regulations and precepts of the Insurance Commission,” she said.

Peter Deveaux-Isaacs, Permanent Secretary for the NHI Secretariat said yesterday that the public insurer is the best option for The Bahamas, stating: “A well managed public insure will drive a more cost effective, efficient, fair and accountable universal health coverage plan.”

Former staff interview for jobs at Sandals Former Sandals employees were at the Sandals job fair at Christ the King Anglican Church in Ridgeland Park West yesterday to interview for their previous positions, with some questioning the reason for the recent redundancies while others appeared to have no ill will toward their former employer.

Some 600 plus employees were made redundant at the Sandals Royal Bahamian resort last week, in what union officials claimed was a union busting tactic. Sandals has contended, however, that the move was the only available option, with the resort shutting down for needed repairs.

It is unclear if all the terminated employees will be rehired when the resort re-opens in October. One former employee told Tribune Business: “I was really shocked at what they did but I need a job right now and so that’s why I showed up for the interview.”

Another former employee,

who did not wish to be identified, said: “I really don’t understand why we have to go through this process. I don’t really like it. It makes no sense.

“I know persons might be fearing that they’re going to go through these long, drawn out questions, hard interview – it’s not hard. And for those old Sandals employees, if you want to reapply you should if you have it in your heart’s desire.”

Latoysa Walks, a who spent 18 years at the resort , said that she harbours no hostility towards Sandals for their actions.

“I was employed there for 18 years and I loved my job and I loved what I did,” she said. “It was a pleasure.

And up to today I still feel positive about the company.

And if the outcome turns out to be negative, I’m going to look at it as the positive side.

Because everyone is coming here today to give it another try. So we love the job, it was the best job to us. I’ve been

there so long, and that’s why I came back to give it a shot today.”

She added: “If I am given another opportunity for a job I’m going to take it, but I love Sandals, it was a nice place, and the job was always a happy job to be on.”

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PAGE 4, Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Moody’s downgrade branded ‘bittersweet’ FROM PAGE ONE nightmare as it is now. It certainly calls for good governance all around.”

Mr McCartney, though, expressed relief that the Bahamas had avoided the loss of its ‘investment grade’ credit rating - something that Moody’s had warned in early July 2016 was possible.

“I think it would have been devastating,” the DNA leader said of a cut to ‘junk’ status.

“Accessing and borrowing funds would have been more difficult, interest rates [on the debt] would have increased, and persons coming to the Bahamas to do business would have been more limited than they are now.

“Living in the country, to put it simply, would have been much worse than what it is now.”

Mr McCartney’s assessment was backed by the FNM’s deputy leader and finance spokesman, K P Turnquest, who described Moody’s actions as “mixed news” for the Bahamas.

“The reality is that they’ve recognised we shouldn’t fall much further than this,” he told Tribune Business.

“I think that the rating which has been put forth is probably a fair rating.

“I think we’ve dodged a bullet. I think they [Moody’s] have tried very hard not to downgrade us to ‘junk’ status. Once that happened, there would have been fall-out from that.”

Mr Turnquest said Moody’s visit to the Bahamas, and country assessment, had been carried out “before the Sandals fiasco” (and last night’s Baha Mar construction agreement announcement), which saw the termination of the Royal Bahamian’s 600 staff.

“We are more or less where we are, and hopefully there is some upside with respect to The Pointe and Baha Mar - the two promised major projects,” he added.

“The downgrade reflects what we’ve all been thinking over the last couple of years, having negative growth without much prospect of a rebound, and debt that continues to grow, albeit at a slower rate, but it’s still growing.”

Mr Turnquest said the Bahamas’ current economic indicators “justify a stable outlook” on the rating, and added that resolving

the Baha Mar impasse was “key” to its improvement.

The Ministry of Finance, in a statement, said it was “disappointed” that Moody’s had chosen to downgrade the Bahamas, although it acknowledged that the continued ‘investment grade’ rating and improved outlook were positives.

It added that Moody’s ‘stable’ outlook on the Bahamas sovereign credit rating “acknowledges that the economic developments underway stand to enhance the resilience of the....economy”.

“The Government’s perspective on the Bahamian economy remains positive and its commitment undeterred in pursuing the necessary policy reform measures and initiatives to secure durable growth, accompanied by broadened employment opportunities and greater fiscal sustainability with debt reduction,” the Ministry of Finance said.

“The Government’s opinion is that the Bahamas’ economic fundamentals still support a strong creditworthiness assessment and, based on its proactive approach to addressing existing policy concerns, is confident that this rating outcome is temporary and an improvement will be secured in the short-term.”

The Ministry of Finance added that “the path” to Baha Mar’s ‘completion is now established, and its opening will secure meaningful employment opportunities, alongside a higher level of capital injection than originally anticipated”.

Fiscal sustainability and debt reduction remain high on the Government’s policy agenda, and are being supported by deliberate measures to modernise and enhance revenue administration and control expenditures,” the Ministry continued.

“For example, compliance measures are being pursued to ensure that yields from current taxes are being maximised, and new initiatives, such as the National Health Insurance, are being introduced at a pace that is affordable for the public finances.

“Importantly, the National Development Plan is set to deal strategically with the elimination of various structural impediments to growth, thereby contributing to the reform of the domestic economy.”

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LIQUIDATOR ______________________

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas ‘dodges junk status bullet’

FROM PAGE ONE Page 1B). The loss of ‘investment grade’ status would have been highly damaging for the Bahamas and its economy, as it would have signalled to the international capital markets that this nation’s creditworthiness was slipping into dangerous territory.

While the Government may still have to pay more for current and future debt issues, raising its debt servicing (interest) costs, and sucking money away from essential public and security services, the ‘one notch’ downgrade is not as bad an outcome as ‘junk’ status.

A downgrade to ‘junk’ could also have deterred investors assessing the Bahamas as a place to invest, as it raises questions about the Government’s economic management.

Moody’s, in explaining the rationale for the ‘one notch’ downgrade, said its action had been driven by a combination of low economic growth and “the persistent increase in the Government’s debt ratio notwithstanding its ongoing consolidation programme.

Arguing that the Bahamas’ economic strength was “weaker” that countries with similar credit ratings, Moody’s nevertheless projected that its GDP growth will improve modestly to an average 1.3 per cent between 2016-2020.

“The first driver for the downgrade is Moody’s expectation that the Bahamas’ economic performance over the next five years will likely remain subdued and constrained by structural rigidities,” the rating agency said.

“Moody’s forecasts that the Bahamian economy will recover in 2016-20, with real GDP growth expected to average 1.3 per cent during this period, the fourth weakest economic performance out of the current 22 Baa-rated sovereigns.”

Describing the obstacles to greater Bahamian economic growth, Moody’s added: “Structural constraints that limit potential growth include relatively high energy costs, a bureaucratic burden that hinders doing business and labour market rigidities.

“These constraints are reflected in, for example,

the prevalent high rate of unemployment and nonperforming loans in the banking system, and have also negatively affected the competitiveness of the tourism sector - a mainstay of the Bahamas’ economy - that accounts directly and indirectly for about 50 per cent of GDP. “While authorities have implemented some measures to address these issues and have put forward a progrowth reform agenda via the National Development Plan, progress has been slow so far.”

As a result, Moody’s said the Bahamas’ economic strength will remain ‘low’ - the “lowest score” among similarly-rated ‘Baa’ nations, which enjoy ‘moderate’ strength.

This implies that Moody’s wants to see much more rapid reform progress than the Christie administration has been able to achieve todate, as it reiterated that the Government’s fiscal consolidation targets are too aggressive and optimistic.

Its analysis said that despite the Government’s efforts to rein in persistent, nine-figure annual deficits, the continual “deterioration” of its balance sheet had resulted in “more limited fiscal space” compared to similarly rated nations.

Moody’s also noted that despite the $600.3 million revenue boost from ValueAdded Tax (VAT) during the first 11 months of the 20152016 fiscal year, the national debt had continued to rise - albeit more slowly - to its present $6.778 billion.

“The Government has reduced the fiscal deficit for three consecutive years, with more progress attained fol-

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lowing the introduction of a VAT in January 2015 that has outperformed government estimates,” Moody’s said.

“Nevertheless, the Bahamas’ government debt-toGDP ratio has continued to rise to an estimated 66.1 per cent by the end of 2015-2016, from 60.2 per cent in 20132014.”

The rating agency then argued that the Christie administration’s consolidation plans, and projections, were far too ambitious.

“The Government’s medium-term plan forecasts continued deficit reduction and a balanced budget by 20182019, on the back of strong revenue growth, mainly from VAT and a reduction of expenditures in real terms after 2016-2017,” Moody’s said.

“According to the authorities, this will lead to a reduction in the Government’s debt-to-GDP ratio, closer to 60 per cent of GDP.” It added: “Moody’s baseline, which incorporates a more gradual fiscal consolidation path, forecasts that the debt-to-GDP ratio would peak in 2016-2017 at about 67 per cent, and then stabilise around 65 per cent.

“In addition, the Bahamian government has a moderate interest burden, with an interest-to-revenues ratio of about 13 per cent. These fiscal metrics point to somewhat limited fiscal space for the sovereign relative to Baarated peers, reducing the Bahamas’ capacity to respond to economic shocks.”

Moody’s called for the Government to “strengthen its budgetary processes”, adding that the introduction of spending controls and “improvements in revenue collections” could help boost the Bahamas’ credit rating.

“Upward rating momentum would also emerge if implementation of structural reforms fostered higher potential growth and contrib-

uted to a significant improvement in the Bahamas’ debt metrics, aligning these with ‘Baa’ medians,” Moody’s added.

With Moody’s prescribing stronger economic growth and fiscal restraint as the Bahamas’ medicine, it added: “Downward rating pressure could emerge if the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline diminishes, delaying the stabilisation of debt metrics.

“Slower than anticipated economic growth, particularly if it lowered government revenue growth, a key component of the deficit reduction strategy, would also be credit negative.

“The rating could also be downgraded if the Government’s contingent liabilities, in the form of guaranteed debt of state-owned enterprises, were to crystallise on the Government’s balance sheet.”

However, Moody’s struck a positive note with its expectation that the Bahamas’ creditworthiness will stabilise at ‘Baa3’, hence its decision on the outlook.

“The stable outlook on the rating reflects Moody’s expectation that sovereign credit metrics will remain in line with a ‘Baa3’ rating, as fiscal consolidation will continue over the coming years, and that government debt metrics will likely stabilise in fiscal 2016-2017 as the deficit declines,” the rating agency said.

“The stable outlook also incorporates the expectation that economic performance will strengthen in 2016-2018, returning to levels close to the Bahamas’ potential growth of 1-1.5 per cent. Under this baseline, we would see a stabilisation of the Bahamas’ key economic and fiscal metrics, although these metrics would remain weaker than for most ‘Baa’ rating peers.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, August 23, 2016, PAGE 5

Tourism ‘wipe out’ concern over Zika FROM PAGE ONE are on this aggressively.

That’s a huge problem.”

Canada has already warned pregnant women, and those planning on having children, to avoid travelling to the Bahamas - a potentially major blow for the tourism industry, given that this nation is one of its major source markets.

In advice that was posted last Friday on the Canadian government’s official website, the Bahamas was added to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s list of countries to avoid as a result of the Zika virus.

The Canadian government is “recommending that Canadians practice special health precautions while travelling in affected countries.

“Pregnant women and those considering becoming pregnant should avoid travel to the Bahamas.”

Such travel advisories are likely to both increase in number, and intensity, especially given that Dr Gomez confirmed that two of the four Zika cases had resulted from transmission locally.

Health warnings are a major deterrent to visitors/ tourists travelling to the subject countries, hence Mr Turnquest’s fears for the Bahamian tourism industry, the most important economic sector.

Florida’s tourism-reliant economy has also been impacted by an outbreak of Zika, with Miami Beach among the areas impacted.

Businesses in locations identified as ‘zones’ where the virus is present, such as Wynwood in Miami, have complained about a reduction in commerce and visitor numbers as a result of health-related concerns.

The Government, though, appears to have heeded Mr Turnquest’s advice for an “aggressive” approach.

Andrew Thompson, assistant director of the Department of Environ-

mental Health Services, yesterday said officials had already begun mosquito fogging efforts on New Providence, and were focusing on the Pinewood Gardens and Carmichael Road areas.

Zika, which has been linked microcephaly in newborn babies, can be transmitted through sex.

As a result, travel advisories such as Canada’s will not only deter women from coming to the Bahamas, but their partners and entire families, too.

Dr Duane Sands, the FNM Senator, while acknowledging the potential economic impact, called for Bahamians to be “concerned without being alarmist”.

“With the potential impact of this Zika outbreak on our tourism product and economy, we should all be concerned without being alarmist,” he told Tribune Business.

“The single most important thing is effective public health and environmental campaigns by the Bahamas government.”

Dr Sands said he had yet to see much evidence of mosquito fogging or the presence of Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) personnel on the streets.

“Given the threat to the world economy and the fact we have cities saying they are affected by this thing, we ought to be exaggerating our response,” Dr Sands said.

“People should be seeing the trucks on the streets, and public service announcements to demonstrate what people should be doing.”

He added: “Unfortunately, I think our efforts have not been aggressive enough to demonstrate to Bahamians how serious this problem is.

“We don’t want to alarm people or scare off tourists, but it is important to be vigilant.”

FROM PAGE ONE ies showing that $100 million is enough to finance the scheme’s first primary care phase.

The insurance industry queried how KPMG could have concluded that $100 million is sufficient when the fees that NHI will pay to doctors and healthcare providers have yet to be determined, along with payment mechanisms.

While again backing the universal healthcare (UHC)scheme that NHI promises to create, the BIA again argued that “there continues to be a carefully orchestrated plan to silence the voices of reason and dismiss genuine concerns about the proposed scheme”.

And, while Dr Britnell described the Government’s NHI Policy Paper as being among “one of the finest” he has seen, the insurance industry begs to differ.

“The recently released NHI Policy Paper, when compared with similar documents on an important national issue such as UHC/ NHI from other jurisdictions, is lacking in substance,” the BIA argued.

“The Policy Paper is akin to marketing material or a brochure rather than a document that provides a detailed road map for UHC and NHI in the Bahamas.Itfallsshortofourexpectations,isquitedisappointing andfailstomeetthehigherlevels oftransparencyanddisclosure alluded to by Dr Britnell.”

While acknowledging the KPMGchief’squalifications.and highregardinwhichheisheld,the BIA suggested his hiring was designed to give the Christie administration’sNHIscheme a much-needed credibility boost.

It added that KPMG had beentaskedwithmakingNHI a reality, and was a paid Governmentconsultant.“Thisconstrains us to take some of their comments with a pinch of salt whencomparedwiththeobservations of their predecessors and other experts in the field,” the Association added.

“The BIA’s position on the establishment of a public insurer is clear and has been articulated on numerous occasions. Based

Insurers: Treat NHI adviser with a ‘pinch of salt’ on feedback received from government consultants and officials involved in NHI, it is clear that the establishment of a public insurer is political in nature and has no economic justification.”

The BIA also denied Dr Britnell’s suggestion that the industry body had met with KPMG over NHI last week.

It added that inquiries with its major health insurance members “leave us in the dark” as to whom KPMG met with.

Calling for greater transparency and “true consultation”, the BIA demanded “the immediate release” of KPMG’s report on how much NHI’s primary healthcare phase, which is supposed to launch in January, will cost.

“This is extremely important to ensure full disclosure on the assumptions

supporting their conclusions on the cost, including but not limited to fees to be paid to healthcare providers, administration costs and utilisation rates built into their costing model,” the BIA said.

“We are advised that negotiations on capitation and administration fees are at preliminary stages and, in some cases, have not yet commenced.

“Hence, it is unclear how the overall cost was verified or validated unless the Government plans to present its terms to stakeholders on a ‘take it or leave it’ basis, leaving no room for negotiation.”

The BIA also demanded that the Government release all reports and documents related to NHI, the public healthcare system and Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).

“We note that despite

numerous requests, the Beck Group report, which was heralded as the ‘master plan’ for the overhauling of PMH, has not been released to date,” the BIA said.

“In fact, none of the consultant reports relating to NHI (paid for by taxpayers) have been voluntarily released to date.

“Rather, they have been leaked to the public through the media.

“This unfortunate lack of transparency must be improved upon if we are to work together to build a healthcare system that we can all be proud of.”

Calling for NHI to be both affordable and sustainable, the Association added: “The promotion of this programme should not be carried out with deliberate economising of the truth and use of political rhetoric to paint a false picture.”

PAGE 6, Tuesday, August 23, 2016 FROM PAGE ONE Court-approved agreement between the Government and Baha Mar’s secured creditor, China Export-Import Bank, for the $3.5 billion project’s construction restart and completion.

Although specific details were minimal, the Prime Minister said the China Export-Import Bank had agreed to finance Baha Mar’s construction completion, with work set to restart in September 2016 after remobilisation that is set to begin imminently.

China Construction America (CCA), which was heavily criticised by original Baha Mar developer, Sarkis Izmirlian, for alleged “shoddy workmanship” that ultimately resulted in the project’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing, will return to finish construction.

Mr Christie gave no dollar figure for how much it will take to complete Baha Mar’s physical construction, but his announcement indicated that it was critical for the Government that all Bahamian creditors receive what was due to them.

The Prime Minister said this meant CCA would “resolve outstanding claims with sub-contractors and suppliers”, while “funds will

Creditors hail PM for ‘not blinking’ in Baha Mar talks be made available” for Bahamian contractors and other local creditors “to recover a significant portion, and possibly all”, of the monies owed to them.

Again, details and figures were not released, and it is unclear who will be responsible for compensating the latter category - the China Export-Import Bank, CCA or a combination of the two.

The Prime Minister promised that more details on the Government’s agreement with the China Export-Import Bank will be released shortly, as he acknowledged that much paperwork relating to the deal still had to be completed.

At the moment, though, Bahamian contractors and other suppliers (who are non-CCA creditors) could still recover anywhere from 5 per cent to 100 per cent of the sums owed.

Mr Christie said “many of the people and companies” previously hired to work on

Baha Mar as sub-contractors would be re-engaged to complete the project, while the Government and its corporations, such as Bahamas Power & Light (BPL), will “recover some of their outstanding claims against the Baha Mar companies”.

Significantly, the agreement also includes compensating Baha Mar’s former employees, including the 2,000 staff made redundant last November.

Mr Christie said they would receive outstanding salaries, severance and accrued vacation pay, while sums deducted from their salaries and pension contributions will be repaid.

Bahamian companies holding the retail and restaurant concessions at Baha Mar will retain them via the agreement with the China Export-Import Bank, with the Government having agreed to “extend appropriate concessions to finish construction”.

The nature, and amount, of these investment incentives has also yet to be disclosed, with the issue generating controversy several months ago amid claims that the Chinese had requested 500 ‘economic citizenships’ and a 30-year Value-Added Tax (VAT) break.

Mr Christie, though, described the agreement as “a win-win” for the Bahamian people.

However, the promised payments to Bahamian contractors and other creditors could provide a major, and much-needed, multi-million dollar boost for both those companies and the wider economy if they come through.

The construction industry is said to be owed $74 million collectively alone, and recovery of all - or even part - of

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MARKET REPORT MONDAY, 22 AUGUST 2016

such an amount could represent the difference between some firms and individual tradesmen surviving or failing, and workers retaining their jobs. Economic growth may also receive a positive jolt.

The Government ensured numerous contractors and private sector executives were present at yesterday’s press conference to hail the announcement, and there appeared to be genuine relief that the end to more than a year of agony was in sight.

Peter Whitehead, principal of Osprey Development, whose joint venture with Yates is owed some $5.3 million for work completed on Baha Mar, said: “I don’t think we realise what a monumental day this is...”

Turning to the Prime Minister, he added: “Negotiating this contract which you have negotiated is almost impossible to negotiate, but it is done.

“There’s always this saying: ‘When you cross the table, the person who blinks first is screwed’. In this case, you didn’t blink, and we’re so grateful.”

Inga Bowleg, John Bull’s director of business development, speaking for Baha Mar’s retail concession holders, added: “Indeed, a prayer answered. For Bahamians, it’s a wonderful, wonderful day. You [Prime Minister] looked out for Bahamians every step of the way.”

Ms Bowleg said John Bull, and others, had invested “millions and millions of dollars” in fitting out their Baha Mar stores and hiring employees, only for the project to come to a halt.

She added that John Bull had managed to redeploy hundreds of staff to its other locations and retain them, as Mr Christie urged the company - and all others - to “trust him”.

Acknowledging to the Prime Minister that “there were many times we started to doubt you, but you came through for the Bahamas”, Ms Bowleg reiterated: “This is a wonderful day. I think this is the beginning of great things to come in our economy, and we need that.”

Larry Treco, president of

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE 1,974.42 | CHG 0.05 | %CHG 0.00 | YTD 150.47 | YTD% 8.25 52WK LOW 2.25 17.43 9.09 3.15 4.70 0.12 6.09 7.25 5.50 7.00 13.99 2.25 1.27 5.51 6.00 9.85 6.12 5.75 11.75 10.00

PREFERENCE SHARES 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 106.00 100.00 106.00 100.00 105.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

1.00 105.50 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Bank of Bahamas Benchmark Cable Bahamas CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Colina Holdings Commonwealth Bank Commonwealth Brewery Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Famguard Fidelity Bank Finco Focol ICD Utilities J. S. Johnson Premier Real Estate

SYMBOL AML APD BPF BWL BOB BBL CAB CIB CHL CBL CBB CWCB DHS FAM FBB FIN FCL ICD JSJ PRE

LAST CLOSE 4.05 15.85 9.09 3.50 5.22 0.12 6.47 8.50 5.83 10.59 14.00 2.41 1.55 5.80 8.77 10.95 8.12 6.60 11.93 10.00

CLOSE 4.05 15.85 9.09 3.50 5.22 0.12 6.47 8.50 5.83 10.59 14.00 2.46 1.55 5.80 8.77 10.95 8.12 6.60 11.93 10.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA CBLE CBLJ CBLK CBLL CBLM CBLN FBBA FCLB

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

SECURITY Fidelity Bank Note 17 (Series A) + Fidelity Bank Note 18 (Series E) + Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) +

SYMBOL FBB17 FBB18 FBB22

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-3Y BGS: 2015-1-3Y BGS: 2014-12-5Y BGS: 2015-1-5Y BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-3Y BGS: 2015-6-5Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y

BAH29 BG0103 BG0203 BG0105 BG0205 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0303 BG0305 BG0307 BG0330

115.35 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

115.32 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

-0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Commonwealth Bank Class E Commonwealth Bank Class J Commonwealth Bank Class K Commonwealth Bank Class L Commonwealth Bank Class M Commonwealth Bank Class N Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00 100.00

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

113.70 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

VOLUME

215 81

32,940 VOLUME 58 32

64 20 13 77

6

EPS$ 0.304 1.351 1.086 0.220 -1.134 0.000 0.185 0.551 0.508 0.541 0.528 0.094 0.166 0.510 0.612 0.960 0.650 0.703 0.756 0.000

DIV$ 0.090 1.000 0.000 0.160 0.000 0.000 0.187 0.260 0.200 0.360 0.610 0.060 0.040 0.240 0.275 0.000 0.280 0.120 0.640 0.000

P/E 13.3 11.7 8.4 15.9 N/M N/M 35.0 15.4 11.5 19.6 26.5 26.2 9.3 11.4 14.3 11.4 12.5 9.4 15.8 0.0

YIELD 2.22% 6.31% 0.00% 4.57% 0.00% 0.00% 2.89% 3.06% 3.43% 3.40% 4.36% 2.44% 2.58% 4.14% 3.14% 0.00% 3.45% 1.82% 5.36% 0.00%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST 7.00% 6.00% Prime + 1.75%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2017 31-May-2018 19-Oct-2022

6.95% 4.00% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.25% 4.50% 6.25%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2017 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2020 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045

NOTICE is hereby given that PERIUS ABSOLU of Marsh

Harbour, P.O.Box General Delivery, Abaco, Bahamas

is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 23rd day of August, 2016 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

POSITION AVAILABLE

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE CLERK -

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 1.99 3.90 1.92 167.58 138.35 1.44 1.67 1.55 1.08 6.94 8.65 5.92 9.94 11.15 10.46

52WK LOW 1.67 3.04 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.39 1.67 1.48 1.03 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund FG Financial Preferred Income Fund FG Financial Growth Fund FG Financial Diversified Fund FG Financial Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund

NAV 1.99 3.90 1.92 167.58 136.68 1.44 1.67 1.55 1.08 6.94 8.65 5.92 9.59 11.15 9.57

YTD% 12 MTH% 2.33% 4.05% 3.34% 6.09% 1.63% 2.99% 3.41% 5.18% 2.95% -0.58% 2.19% 3.91% 2.46% 8.70% 1.94% 5.28% 4.11% 1.26% 4.05% 8.28% 5.93% 13.53% 2.73% 4.73% 3.97% -3.53% 2.96% 4.33% -4.26% -6.22%

NAV Date 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 27-Jul-2016 30-Jun-2016 30-Jun-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016

MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

CGT Construction, said “a staggering amount of monies have been taken out of the economy” by the Baha Mar impasse.

“The Prime Minister said he would try his best so that we were not thrown under the bus,” Mr Treco said of Mr Christie’s pledge to the construction industry.

“I’m an optimistic person, but over the past year-and-ahalf my optimism was challenged greatly. The outlook was not very good.”

Mr Treco praised the agreement as “a tremendous occasion”, and expressed optimism that the Bahamian economy will now prosper.

Baha Mar’s construction completion, which has been estimated as costing around $600 million, is one step in resolving the project’s future.

No mention was made last night of a preferred bidder having been selected to acquire the $3.5 billion project, which indicates that the Deloitte & Touche receivers are continuing their buyer search and selection process.

K P Turnquest, the Opposition’s deputy leader, told Tribune Business that as a result the agreement announced by the Prime Minister was “half a bucket” or a ‘glass half full’.

He pointed out that Baha Mar remained in receivership and provisional liquidation, and questioned how the China Export-Import Bank’s additional outlay - taking its exposure to possibly more than $3 billion - would impact any sales process or purchase price.

While acknowledging that a completed Baha Mar would be easier for China Export-Import Bank to sell, Mr Turnquest questioned whether its seeming desire to be ‘made whole’ would place the development out of reach of any buyer - given that the construction and ‘Bahamian compensation’ outlays would likely be added to the purchase price.

The FNM deputy leader, though, said it was “wonderful news” that Bahamian creditors would be paid.

Mr Christie said yesterday that one of his Government’s key objectives had been for Baha Mar’s casino and convention centre, and two associated hotels, to be open in time for the 2016-2017 winter season.

However, no construction completion deadline was given, and it appears that the earliest Baha Mar could be open - under new ownership - will be winter 2017-2018.

The Prime Minister said he and the China ExportImport Bank had also agreed that the new owner should be a “world class casino and hotel operator”.

NOTICE

t. 242.323.2330 | f. 242.323.2320 | www.bisxbahamas.com

BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.05 17.43 9.09 3.50 4.70 0.18 8.34 8.50 6.10 10.60 15.50 2.72 1.60 5.80 8.76 11.00 8.20 6.90 12.25 11.00

THE TRIBUNE

-

Persons applying should have at least three (3) years experience in accounts receivables.

A bachelor or Associates degree qualification would be an asset.

Candidates should have good telephone ethics, a keen eye for detail and good people skills.

Must be a team player and self motivated.

Persons applying should have at least three (3) years experience in accounts receivables

Interested persons with the proper qualification, energy and enthusiasm may apply.

Please send full resume including copies of certificates and a photograph.

Via email to:

accountsvacancy@milobutler.com

Only serious persons need apply.

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | FG CAPITAL MARKETS 242-396-4000 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, August 23, 2016, PAGE 7

Stocks end mostly lower in quiet trade; oil prices decline NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks closed slightly lower in quiet trading Monday after drifting most of the day between gains and losses.

Energy companies fell along with the price of oil while biotechnology and drug companies rose after Pfizer announced it was buying a cancer drug maker.

Trading remained subdued, as it has been for most of the month, with many investors remaining on the sidelines until after Labour Day. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 23.15 points, or 0.1 percent, to 18,529.42. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index lost 1.23 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,182.64 and the Nasdaq composite rose 6.22 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5,244.60.

Cancer drug maker Medivation jumped $13.26, or 20 percent, to $80.42 after pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced it would buy the company for $14 billion, or $81.50 a share.

Pfizer is buying Medivation for its heavily used prostate cancer drug Xtandi, which generates roughly $2 billion in sales a year.

The Medivation deal pushed other biotechnology stocks higher as well, helping the Nasdaq do better than the S&P 500 and the Dow.

Trading continues to be subdued Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Alexion Pharmaceuticals all rose 3 percent or more.

Monday’s trading was extremely light.

Roughly 2.73 billion shares changed hands on the New York Stock Exchange, the lightest trading volume so far this year.

It is typical for trading to slow in August, with many traders and investors finishing up their summer vacation plans.

Investors have had little to go on for the last couple of weeks.

Second-quarter earnings reports are effectively over, and the next major piece of economic news does not come until Friday, when Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will speak at the Fed’s annual conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

While investors do not expect the central bank to raise interest rates at its September meeting, there’s always the possibility that it will, as well as the increasing likelihood of a rate increase once the presidential election is finished.

“We are in the calm be-

fore it gets much busier after Labour Day,” said David Lebovitz, a global market strategist with JP Morgan Funds.

Oil prices fell sharply.

U.S. benchmark crude lost $1.47 to close at $47.05 a barrel and Brent crude, used to price oil internationally, declined $1.72 to close at $49.16 a barrel.

The drop in energy prices dragged down energy stocks, which lost roughly 1 percent, more than the rest of the market.

U.S. government bond prices rose.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 1.54 percent from 1.58 percent late Friday.

In other energy commodity trading, heating oil fell 3 cents to $1.49 a gallon and wholesale gasoline fell 3 cents to $1.48 a gallon. Natural gas rose 9.5 cents to $2.679 per thousand cubic feet.

Gold fell $2.80 to $1,343.40 an ounce, silver fell 45 cents to $19 an ounce and copper fell 3 cents to $2.15 a pound.

The dollar rose to 100.29 Japanese yen from 100.24 on Friday. It rose against the euro to $1.1323 from $1.1324.

Lithuania in $437M military vehicle deal with Germany

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Lithuania says it has signed a contract to purchase dozens of German military vehicles worth 386 million euros ($437 million), in the Baltic country’s largest weaponry purchase to date.

The Lithuanian Defence Ministry says the deal was signed Monday with Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles for 88 armoured Boxer cars.

The agreement comes amid growing tensions over neighboring Russia’s

increased military presence in the Baltic Sea region.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Juzas Olekas said at the signing ceremony that the contract “is a signal that Lithuania takes care of its security, and investments into it seriously.”

Russia’s actions in Ukraine and military activity in the Baltic region caused the former Soviet republic to reintroduce compulsory military service last year and sharply increase defence spending.

GM plans $90 million in new equipment for Indiana factory MARION, Ind. (AP) — General Motors said Monday that it plans to spend about $90 million to update equipment at an Indiana factory that supplies many of the company’s assembly plants.

The new equipment for the Marion Metal Center will start being installed this year at the factory where it has some 1,400 workers, company officials said.

The project is aimed at improving the production capability and flexibility of the 2.7 million-square-foot Marion factory campus, which dates to the 1950s.

“This will enable our team to continue delivering quality to our stamping customers throughout North America,” GM North America Manufacturing manager Dan Hermer said in a statement.

The company didn’t announce any additional jobs for the factory, but Marion Mayor Jess Alumbaugh said the investment is a boost for the city about 50 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

“We are excited to have General

Motors demonstrate their confidence in our community’s bright future,” Alumbaugh said.

The Marion plant supplies stampings and sheet metal assembly for cars, vans, trucks and SUVs to GM assembly plants in North America.

United Auto Workers national Vice President Cindy Estrada said the project will improve the Marion factory’s competitiveness.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, August 23, 2016, PAGE 9

BODY AND MIND

Hair expo launches American natural hair brand in the Bahamas

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net SCORES of Bahamian naturalistas gathered last Saturday to attend a special hair and wellness expo tailored especially to their needs.

The “Naturals in the City” organisation hosted the event together with Solomon’s Super Centre.

On hand to assist those in attendance with tips and tricks was president of the international brand Uncle Funky’s Daughter (UFD), Renee Morris.

“Uncle Funky’s Daughter has partnered exclusively with Solomon’s because of it’s strong commitment to the Bahamian community. It’s important to me that our retail partners share similar values as our brand,” Ms Morris told Tribune Woman.

She applauded Solomon’s back-to-school campaign and said last weekend’s free trade show helped parents ensure that their children were well equipped for the new academic year.

It also made for the perfect launchpad for the Uncle Funky’s Daughter brand into the Bahamas, she said.

Ms Morris’ 20-year career has spanned several industries, but the theme has always been helping people solve their problems. It is her passion, she said.

Having been an avid “Funky Junky” since the launch of Uncle Funky’s Daughter in 2009 in the United States, Ms Morris purchased the company in 2014 when it was put up for sale.

She said she knew the brand had a lot of untapped potential, given that magazines like Essence and Ebony constantly wrote about it, but the level of distribution was not where it should have been.

After acquiring the company, she upgraded the packaging and the brand’s image while keeping all the original formulas for the products.

“We have been growing like gangbusters since, with features on Essence.com, inclusion in the Essence Beauty Box, OnyxBox, and

SWIMMER MICHAEL PHELPS, the most decorated Olympian of all time, displays cupping bruises on his back.

PRESIDENT of Uncle Funky’s Daughter Renee Morris (in black t-shirt) assists Bahamian women and girls with products for natural hair during an expo at Solomon’s Super Centre. an upcoming collaboration with curlBox,” said Ms Morris.

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Ms Morris started off as a consultant to multi-billion dollar companies. She took what she learned during that time to grow a successful business focused on helping people of colour achieve their best selves naturally.

Uncle Funky’s Daughter now offers all-natural hair products, serving the needs of the curly haired community with designer shampoos, conditioners, moisturisers, curl definers and stylers which define and enhance a person’s curl pattern. The company’s veganfriendly products are free of ingredients which are harsh on the hair, such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oils and synthetic dyes.

“The best thing about

what I do every day is my ability to help women along their natural hair journey.

It’s still not always easy for women to embrace their natural curls. Some of that has to do with not knowing how to manage our hair in its natural state. I love

spending time one-on-one with women, helping them understand what types of products work best for their hair. (The Bahamas) is such a beautiful country in every way – from the people to the food to the culture. The women and children were

amazing,” said Ms Morris.

During Saturday’s hair and wellness expo, she said, there were many women looking for solutions to help make their natural hair routine easier or to feel confident in wearing their own hair instead of a protective

style.

“I’ve helped start the conversation for the women who attended the Solomon’s event. We’re working with Solomon’s to continue the dialogue and support. I’m looking forward to coming back,” said Ms Morris.

AFTER PHELPS MENTION, INTEREST GROWS IN CUPPING THERAPY NEW LONDON, Connecticut (AP) — With the fluid motions of a glass blower, Hong Qi held a flaming alcohol-soaked cotton ball inside a jar for few seconds, then swung the globe onto her patient’s exposed back, pressing it into place.

As the patient lay face down in the East Lyme office August 18, Qi repeated the process until the woman’s back held a dozen upturned jars, each drawing a section of reddening skin into the opening with the suction created by the flame.

“I have six bulging discs, but if I do this a couple of times a month, I’m good to go,” said the woman, who began the treatment for relief from lingering neck and back pain and surgeries needed after a car accident.

“I’m kept pain free, without having to take prescription medications. I can swim, play with my grandchildren, garden,” the woman said. “And it takes care of stress and helps with sleeping.”

The woman, who declined to give her name, said the recent attention to the ancient Asian medical treatment of cupping, after TV appearances by Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Michael Phelps and other athletes with cupping bruises often compared to large hickeys, gave the procedure a celebrity endorsement she didn’t need.

Among other well-known fans of the practice are several Major League Baseball players and actress Gwyneth Paltrow.

“When I heard Michael Phelps saying cupping is legitimate, I thought, it’s been legitimate for hundreds of years,” the woman said.

Dating back thousands of years in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, cupping is used in combination with acupuncture to relieve muscle soreness and healing from injuries, as well as promote mental health for those experiencing depression, anxiety and insomnia, said Qi, owner of Hong Qi Acupuncture & Wellness Centre, which has offices in East Lyme and Essex.

Patients often receive both acupuncture and cupping as complementary treatments, she said.

“After Michael Phelps, almost all my patients are asking me about cupping,” said Qi, who worked as a neurologist in China before immigrating to the United States, eventually opening her clinic in 2002.

“I’m very excited, because I hope this can help more people,” she said. “The cupping helps move the blood flow in the muscles, which alleviates the pain.”

In Stonington, Megan Marco, owner and clinic director of Stonington Natural Health Centre, also has been getting more patient inquiries about cupping.

“Cupping is good for manual laborers, and athletes, of course, with really tight muscles,” said Marco.

“I move the cups gently, so the person is able to relax.”

Growing numbers of patients, she said, are seeking cupping and other alternative treatments instead of pharmaceuticals for help with acne, weight loss, smoking cessation, chronic pain and addiction.

Both Marco and Qi use the traditional method of creating suction with flame, but it can also be created with hand pumps attached to specially designed cups.

Martha Briggs, acupuncturist at Norwich Holistic Health Centre, said cupping also can be used to help patients with asthma and other respiratory ailments to loosen tight chest muscles.

“Cupping is a way to promote the free flow of blood, and get things moving,” she said.

“Michael Phelps was using it to keep his muscles limbered up and loose. It’s a wonderful tool that’s been around for thousands of years. People are coming in now and asking us to do cupping.”

According to the website WebMD, cupping supporters believe cupping removes toxins from the body and promotes healing, but scientific studies are few.

Because the procedure can cause mild discomfort, burns, bruises and skin infections, people are advised to ask their doctor before starting cupping.

Scott Olmstead, physical therapy assistant and athletic trainer at Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Centres in New London, said he’s had several patients ask about cupping.

“If somebody’s using it, and it makes them feel better, it works,” he said. “It’s like a deep massage, increasing the blood flow and histamines for healing.”

He believes the effects of cupping “are probably short-term,” but he’s not dismissive of patients who’ve had good results.

“The mind is a powerful thing, and if it’s something they believe in, do it,” he said.

“It’s better than taking some heavy-duty drugs.”

In Qi’s office last Thursday, a woman who suffers from osteoarthritis said that because of twice-weekly treatments, she has retained her mobility without taking prescription medications.

“I can feel the blood moving in the muscles,” said the woman, who declined to give her name, as Qi applied the cups to the area around her left knee.

“It brings a great deal of comfort. As soon as the cups are on, my whole body releases.”

Qi said cupping “motivates an adjustment of your immunity” and helps reduce inflammation.

Patients often use it in combination with Western medical treatments, she said, and more doctors are accepting it.

But, she added, practitioners of alternative medicine, traditional Western medicine doctors and patients alike would benefit from more research about cupping.

“We do need to have more studies,” she said.

JUDY BENSON, The Day

PAGE 10, Tuesday, August 23, 2016

New seminar promotes alternative medicine for healthier living

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net FOR a decade of his life, Janson E “Dr J” Saunders searched long and hard for a cure the numerous ailments that plagued his body. This journey consisted of numerous doctor visits, constant trips to health institutions abroad and taking medications several times a day.

Struggling with his weight and conditions like sleep apoea, insomnia, acid reflux and digestive problems, Mr Saunders was so desperate that he would sometimes go to extreme lengths, doing anything he could to get relief from his illnesses.

On this path to better health and better living, Mr Saunders said he stumbled across various unconventional solutions that not only brought him much needed relief, but also reversed his conditions.

Today, Mr Saunders said he has a clean bill of health and wants to help other Bahamians achieve the same.

As a motivational coach and founder of Island Mo-

tivations & Healthy Living, Mr Saunders has coached many Bahamians concerning their health for years.

Together with Freddie “Ready Freddie” Bain, he will speak at the upcoming “Hidden Secrets to a Healthy Longer Life” seminar.

The seminar will be held this Saturday at Epworth Hall on Shirley Street from 9.30am to 1pm.

Mr Saunders said he will be giving people tips on how they can jump-start their journey to better health.

“There are many people who are not aware of alternative medicine and surgeries to cure different sicknesses and diseases. I will be sharing information about the causes of different diseases and what people can do to prevent or reverse these different types of diseases so many of them are getting every day,” he told Tribune Health.

“From my personal experience, I was sick and I paid visits to doctors in about three different countries. I used a number of different methods and techniques

that cured me. Trust me, I was on medication for eight years and I went to doctors constantly for that period.

I was on shots. I have been taking shot for years,” he said.

Mr Saunders said his breaking point eventually came when he became weary of constantly seeing doctors and being prescribed different types of medication.

“My journey to better health happened coincidentally on my way to weight loss,” he said.

“I stumbled across my solution and I tried one or two things that were unconventional as well. I would have tried anything when I was sick. I would have tried anything the people told me within reason because I personally wanted to be cured. I was sick of having to sleep with a breathing machine and without that machine I was afraid to go bed,” he said.

After undergoing unconventional treatments, Mr Saunders said his life and health made a 360-degree turn.

“This October would have made nine years that I would have been cured of the different ailments I have had,” he said.

“I have also overcome my illness and challenges with my weight as well. A lot of people in this country are obese; they have other

THE TRIBUNE JANESON E ‘Dr J’ Saunders and Freddie ‘Ready Freddie’ Bain will give tips on living longer and healthier during their seminar this weekend.

problems added to that like sleep apnoea and other types of disease.

“People who have weight loss problems and are obese always want to try these different diets. So these are the type of things I will be talking about, from personal experience and how

I overcame them. Some of the experiences shared during the seminar are also from some of the people I coached as well,” he said.

For more information about the seminar contact 364-1200, 535-0314 or email islantmotivations@ gmail.com.

Back-to-school with a smile IT’S that time of year again, where parents are making a list of items their children will need to go back to school. Books, pens, pencils, school uniforms and shoes are just some items on the back-to-school list, but one item often forgotten is a dental checkup.

Every child wants to look his or her best when heading back to school, from a fancy backpack to a new haircut, but one must not overlook the most visible feature: their smile.

Although dental visits are important throughout the year, back-to-school time is a key visit your child should not miss.

The most chronic disease found in school-age children is cavities.

It has been found that dental disease is one of the main reasons children are absent from school throughout the year.

It is important your child visit the dentist because the school-age years are vital due to children losing baby teeth and their permanent teeth erupting.

Further, if your child has cavities this will be corrected before it affects your child’s ability to perform necessary tasks such as eating, sleeping, and drinking.

By visiting the dentist you are

• Regular dental visits Your child’s dentist will promote proper oral hygiene techniques which will reduce your child’s chances of tooth decay.

Further, the dentist can assist in motivating the child by providing positive feedback. The dentist will also detect anything wrong within the oral cavity before it escalates into the child losing a tooth.

Dr Tamika Ferguson taking preventative steps to ward off childhood decay and your child will learn the correct way to protect their teeth not only during the school year but for the rest of their lives.

One of the first things people notice about an individual is their smile.

A good smile helps to create a positive self-image and all parents should want that for their children.

Back-to-school is a good time to incorporate good oral health habits into your child’s daily routine.

This new oral care routine for your child should include:

• Establishing a daily brushing and flossing routine Children should brush their teeth twice daily, in the morning and before bed. It is up to the parent to ensure the child is brushing and to monitor their brushing technique.

At a young age, some parents may have to brush their child’s teeth for them until they are able to do so properly. Flossing is also very important. Once your child’s teeth are in contact, they should be flossing between these teeth at least once daily. If a brushing and flossing routine is established from early it will gradually become a way of life.

• Eating healthy lunches and snacks Parents must also teach their children to eat healthy. By eating

Culture and gender Gender, the way it is defined and lived, and gendered relations are usually determined by culture. As research shows us, the way we live in a place usually relates to the environment and the history, as well as the economics and geography of the place.

Historically, much of Bahamian culture was determined by colonial Victorian influence. Victorian morality and respectability determined that men behaved in a certain way and women behaved in another.

However, as social historian Barbara Bush and literary and historical specialist Moira Ferguson show, women were subject to men and their behaviour was determined by masculine understandings of what acceptable female behaviour should look like.

At the same time, feminine behaviour was also determined by class. With the development of colonial outposts to “manage” a plantation economy, racial differences were also introduced and further complicated the way gendered behaviour could be understood.

Only European women could be deemed respectable and acceptable. Enslaved African women and Mulatas were not respectable, although they worked extremely hard to fit into

“Images from social media encourage that tough, uneducated, feared gangster role. We also discourage young from educating Dr Ian men themselves because Bethell-Bennett that makes them ‘soft’, according to the Victorian strictures of street culture.” respectable femininity.

Masculinity was also determined by class. Gentlemen were well educated, could shoot, ride and conduct business, for example.

To be a gentleman was valued. However, many “gentlemen” were also rogues under the cover of dark.

This roguish behaviour has been a real part of Bahamian social life for decades, if not centuries.

Roguishness meant that a respectable man could have his family, and, as long as he could afford it, his dalliances. Society had a funny way of turning a blind eye to men’s affairs as long as they did not disturb the status quo by bringing home an unacceptable woman.

Women, on the other hand, were not so lucky. It was extremely easy for a woman to fall from grace based on her choice of hus-

band or boyfriend.

Today, this history still haunts us, but the culture has been completely transformed, except in certain ways.

Historically, men were in charge of the public sphere and women controlled the private sphere in a rather quiet sort of way, but they were still chattels.

Now, the idea of respectability has been turned upside down with the increase in the proliferation of American popular culture and social media.

In fact, this has been rather explosive. Culture has continued to work in a particular way to define acceptable masculine behaviour and femininity, but these have been left far behind by the use of Facebook and the popularity of show-

IN addition to ensuring your child has all the school supplies they need, make sure they also have a healthy smile. healthy foods (fruits and vegetables) and cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, your child’s teeth have less interaction with sugar.

Also, increasing their water intake is a must.

Your child may have the latest

ing everything online.

We have become a culture of women and men exposing it all. Young girls find it completely acceptable to post images of themselves in all their glory. Videos of girl-on-girl fights, sexual acts and myriad other socially irresponsible acts have been shared. People “like” these and they go viral. Persons become famous for five minutes.

At the same time, young women are happy to indulge in sexual acts for a “thigh snack” and a blue Mystic – the cutters’ special.

School students appear in videos performing sexual acts on campus. These are posted to social media and the girls supposedly suffer, or are made to suffer by the social structure, not the boys.

At the same time, males have a hard time building themselves on the old understanding of what it meant to be a man. They do not have reliable employment, nor do they have adequate education. This is especially so in the wake of yet more job losses.

While young men are unable to define their behaviour in ways their grandfathers or fathers would have because the culture has changed so much, they are made to understand that toughness and coldness are the way to be.

As both femininity and masculinity have changed, they have been increasingly defined as violent, rough,

name brand shoes and school supplies to start the new school year, but does he/she have a healthy mouth?

Parents, if you have not scheduled your child’s back-to-school dental check-up, it’s time to call your dentist today!

tough and out for cash.

The tensions between the old and the new.

We inhabit a time where culture is shifting as fast as globalisation pushes it, we are always catching up with what has already happened.

Sadly, the real economy in the Bahamas today needs qualified people and we tell young men that they should not be qualified.

Images from social media encourage that tough, uneducated, feared gangster role. We also discourage young men from educating themselves because that makes them “soft”, according to street culture.

Respect has changed.

It used to be that women were respectable when they conducted themselves with Victorian virtue and morality, and men were respectable when they behaved as gentlemen.

It now means being in fear of and fear-filled respect for someone who, if not respected will kill you, if you are a young man, or slap you if you are a young woman. Some young women care little if people know about their sexual exploits, in fact, they will celebrate them.

We often talk about teaching our children the right way to be, but for whom is it right?

We encourage bullying and violence in the streets and teach them no other way to behave, yet we expect them to leave street behaviour in the streets.

How can they change their behaviour when they have no other skills, they know no other way of being? There has been an absolute shift in respectable and acceptable behaviour, especially for youth from lower socio-economic groups.

What was not acceptable in the past is now celebrated with five minutes of fame on social media.

The political race for the White House between the Democrats and the Republicans has similarly transformed into what would have once been disrespectable, unacceptable behaviour, yet the images of masculinity and femininity that emanate from that show a new kind of respectability and accepted gendered behaviour.

The person who can be the most divisive and verbally threatening or violent takes the race.

So much for old ideas of gentlemanly conduct and respectability!

If this is the trend in the globalised world, and we teach our children no differently, how do we expect them to behave?

To be respected now means to be feared and to be accepted now means to have five minutes of fame from social media be it through sexual exploits or gun-toting thuggery. Everyone is now respectable; all that matters is that they have tweets, followers and likes.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, August 23, 2016, PAGE 11

Taming the tantrum

Bun In The Oven

YOU walk into a store to find a beautifully put together young mother with her toddler shopping in the store. All seems well until the little person starts throwing a fit.

All eyes are now on the mother, stares and glares from every direction, everyone wondering what she’ll do to calm her toddler down.

If you’re also a mother, undoubtedly your mind is filled with thoughts of compassion for the mom, because goodness knows, we’ve all been there before. No mom has escaped the dreaded tantrum. Here are a few thoughts on taming the tantrum:

Bianca Carter

• Ignore the behaviour As difficult as this is to follow through on, experts believe that ignoring the behaviour (not the child) is the best way to de-escalate the tantrum. This is hard for many of us, given that we are women and moms and want to fix everything right away. Reacting to your child’s tantrum in an ineffective manner will not only make matters worse, but it doesn’t get to the root of the problem or teach your child. Screaming and feeding into the tantrum is not going to effectively change the behaviour.

Don’t feed into the bad behaviour, it only reinforces it.

• Use appropriate action

EVERY toddler will throw a tantrum at one time or another. The trick is to find the right response.

As parents, we teach our kids most effectively by example. If we lose our cool and fly off the handle, our kids will only do the same. Of course we are human and these things happen occasionally. When a child is having a tantrum it’s always best to have an appropriate reaction and plan of action. Your child will not want to engage in this type of behaviour if the reaction they get is not what they hoped. Further, kids need a little time to gather themselves

and calm down, so some quiet time or a calming down period is good.

• Talk about the problem When your child has calmed down, talking to them on their level is important. Even children want to be heard and understood.

Get down on their level, look them in the eye, and have a conversation with them. Although many toddlers can’t use big words and

Are you sitting small or standing tall?

LET’S be honest, a massive number of people are living a life of sitting small rather than standing tall.

Not because they can’t stand tall, but because they don’t know how.

The reason for this is simple – they are burdened by strong feelings of negative self-perception.

The bigger question is, what are the ingredients of this negative self-concept?

More often than not these negative emotions are the result of unaddressed feelings of low self-esteem, small self-image and a lack of confidence, which are nicely bonded together by the feelings of not being good enough.

If you feel like you’re not good enough you will think, behave and live your life from that exact position.

This will motivate you towards a life of sitting small rather than standing tall.

Fear not my friends. If

you find the above description speaks to you and you wish to transition from sitting small to standing tall, you are at liberty to make that decision here and now.

I thoroughly believe that my life is to be lived according to me, and likewise your life should be lived according to you. The question is, are willing to own your life? You see, you can move from sitting small to standing tall, but you must be willing to do the work.

This work is about understanding who you are, what makes you unique, what do you really believe is possible for your life, and more importantly, do you see yourself from the broadest, most positive point of view?

Sitting small is not your destiny. You are born for greatness. You are born to stand tall; to allow your light to shine so brightly it will blind all those naysayers.

Standing tall is done from the inside out.

You cannot stand tall “out there” if you’re sitting small “in here”.

Whatever you feel within is always projected without.

Thus, you must reconcile your personal, inner issues first. Be encouraged to get your personal life in order before attempting to organise your professional or business life. Failure to do so is like building your house upon the sand.

Truth be told, many of us are conditioned to explore, understand and even dominate the outer world.

There are no structured schools, classes or study periods through which we are directed or motivated towards such inner exploration.

Yet it is the inner world that gives birth to the outer world.

For this reason you must take a personal interest in

Tips to help moms sleep better during back-to-school transitions EARLY mornings, new extracurricular activities and loads of homework - back to school is a big transition for kids. With the focus on children’s success, there’s one family member who always sacrifices her well-being to ensure days run smoothly: mom.

“She lays in bed at night planning the next day. She gets up earlier than the kids to prepare meals. She selflessly packs her schedule to meet family obligations,” said Shannon Wright, Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences and wellness expert for Natrol.

Ms Wright said that this do-it-all attitude is admirable, but the effects mean moms are losing the important sleep they need to feel their best and stay healthy.

“Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night that includes all sleep stages in order to feel well rested,” she said. “One out of three Americans don’t get enough sleep and women are two times more likely to have difficulty falling and staying asleep.”

A good night’s rest includes four different sleep stages with 90-minute phases of alternating non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. To help moms everywhere reach all stages and sleep better during the hectic back-to-school season and all year long, Ms Wright recommends following these tips and tricks: • Adopt a sleep routine A consistent sleep-wake schedule isn’t just good for your kids, it’s good for you, too. This supports your body’s natural circadian rhythms that occur with the daynight transition. This also supports the release of melatonin, the body’s naturally produced hormone that signals the body to sleep soundly.

• Create a sleep oasis The bedroom environment should be conducive to sleep and that goes beyond the bed. A cool, dark, noise-free bedroom helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer. If you have noise or light challenges, consider blackout shades, face

masks, ear plugs and white noise machines.

• Avoid late evening screen time The kids are finally in bed and moms everywhere have a few moments to themselves. Catching up on email, watching TV shows and perusing your smartphone can kill sleep potential if you do it within an hour of bedtime. Essentially, the LED lights make your brain believe it’s day and therefore prohibit melatonin release.

• Exercise daily There is a lot of research that connects quality sleep to exercise, so even if you’re tired, try to move and groove your body every day. Walk the field perimeter at the kids’ soccer practice, join the kids on the playground or pop in that yoga DVD to start your morning out with a good stretch.

• Be proactive about tomorrow Enjoy a smoother morning and fewer worries while you’re lying in bed by getting things done the night before. For example, make lunches, pack backpacks, shower and lay out clothes for the next day in the evening. You’ll have fewer to-do’s in the morning and you can sleep in a little later.

• Take sleep-supportive supplements Stress, along with other things like age, diet and lifestyle can affect our bodies’ production of melatonin. Taking a melatonin supplement can help, for example Natrol, a 100 per cent drug-free melatonin supplement that is non-habit forming.

“These tips may be simple, but they are extremely effective. Remember, with a good night’s rest it’s a whole lot easier to be Super Mom,” said Ms Wright.

sentences, they’re usually good at trying to get their point across, so listen to them. It shows you care and are there for them.

• Understand the why Young kids have needs and desires just like adults. They also want to be understood. Behind every tantrum is a need or an emotion that causes a child to feel frustration. I’m not saying to give

exploring, understanding and dominating your inner world. Your capacity to live a life of standing tall rests on your willingness to take such a plunge.

The deeper you dive into knowing yourself and gaining understanding, the more readily you move towards standing tall.

If you do not do the work you cannot experience the benefit of standing tall. It takes work, and by work I mean action. Action always speaks louder than words.

All great achievers recognise that to stand tall they must get beyond the habit of talking about it and instead actually do it.

The 16th US President

in to your child’s every desire; life doesn’t work like that. Rather, calm the situation down, try to figure out what the problem is, listen, understand, and be compassionate. Its tough growing up!

Love and hugs!

• Bianca Carter is a certified lactation counsellor and founder of Bun in the Oven.

For more information, e-mail her at info@babybunintheoven.com. Follow BITO on Facebook at babybunintheoven, and check out the BITO Blog every Monday and Thursday at http://babybunintheoven.com.

Abraham Lincoln said that the best way to predict the future is to create it.

Leader to leader, what do you predict for the future you? Is it a life of sitting small or standing tall? Recognise that whatever you do in this moment is a seed sown towards your future harvest. Essentially, the future is now.

If you are going to live your life according to you, why not live a life of standing tall? In so doing, you elevate your mind and move towards living an empowered life. Yes, you can do it.

What do you think?

Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.comor 429-6770.

Michelle Miller Motivationals

Michelle M Miller • Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach, communication and leadership expert. Visit www.michellemmiller.com; mail can be sent to PO Box CB-13060.

SECTION B

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016

New show focusing on women aims to transform local TV industry ByALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

B

eing a modern-day woman in the Bahamas can get complicated. And no one knows that better than comedienne Tracy Ann Perpall.

To explore what it means to be woman in today’s world, the writer, producer and media personality known as TAP has created a new original television series called “It’s Complicated”.

The show is set in a community with very old-school views. Three best friends – TAP, Nicole and Faye – are figuring out the rules of what it means to be a woman; from the boardroom to the bedroom and everything in between.

Naturally, things get heated – from break-ups to make-ups, secret hook-ups, and more. And what can be said than, “It’s Complicated!”

Speaking with Tribune Weekend, TAP said the inspiration for “It’s Complicated” derives from the same motto that has motivated her throughout her career so far: If there isn’t a door to knock on, create one.

Her goal is to highlight the duality of the modern-day Bahamian young woman, especially in relation to dating and sex.

Over the past few years, TAP has continuously shone a light on Bahamian society, using both humour and reasoning to present thoughtful and insightful perspectives. She has utilised the power of the internet as a platform for her thought-provoking and satirical video blogs and sketches called “TAP’s Vlogs”. And with more than 20,000 social media followers and YouTube views, she has captured the attention of the entire Bahamas and beyond.

TAP

TAP’s “It’s Complicated” features a local cast and crew

Her videos have been featured

by Tyler Perry’s talent search, Island 360, WorldStarHipHop, The Tribune, NuWoman Magazine, ELife Magazine, The Nassau Guardian, ZNS, Cable 12, and in numerous online articles and local publications.

“I’ve always wanted to be a part of a television series, and for a while I’ve been looking at local TV and seeing that there was so little representation of Bahamians, of women, of young people, and I decided we can’t wait for the old guard to give it to us, we have to take it,” TAP said.

“There’s no good reason why there shouldn’t be more Baha-

BEHIND the scenes

mian films and shows on local networks. There’s no good reason why Bahamian filmmakers and artists hardly get any financial backing from the public or private sector. We have given the world Sir Sidney Poitier, the first black person period to receive the Oscar for Best Actor. But what about the many Sir Sidneys in 2016 in the Bahamas? Are we going to wait for the world to help, recognise and cultivate those talents?”

TAP commends the team that assisted her in making “It’s Complicated”: local actors like Sawyerboy, director of photography Gary Wong, writers Stephen

Hanna and Kerel Pinder, and stylist Lavonne Alexis.

She said it really takes a village to put together a show like this and it is her wish for people to realise how shows of this nature can help in building an industry which can eventually lead to great economic benefits.

“I see this show having many seasons. I see this show becoming an international success. I see this show providing hundreds of jobs for local artists. I see this show provoking conversation about the Bahamian social landscape. I’m really looking forward to seeing the feedback from Bahamians. I hope Bahamians enjoy it and re-

late to it and stand behind it,”said TAP. The pilot episode of “It’s Complicated” is available now on the show’s official website at www. watchitscomplicated.com.

An official release date, TAP explained, is dependent on the response the team receives from local and international studios and networks. They are aiming to produce six 30-minute episodes for the first season. They are confident that they will find the right investor, sponsor or network that believes in the mission and quality of this project.

Sisters team up to write inspirational children’s book re-

‘Dave the Brave’ explores God’s true magic UNDER the name “Brooke & Lee”, two sisters, Adria McCardy and Kristi Collie, are aiming to give new meaning to evangelism.

The sisterly duo have joined forces to “share and spread true love, God’s love, with everyone (they) encounter” with the help of their new children’s book called “Dave the Brave”.

Inspired by the initiative their brother, Rashad McCardy, showed in writing his first novel, “The Legend of the Flaming Dragon”, Adria said she set out to became an entrepreneur; something she had always dreamed of doing.

“Honestly, I never thought I’d be writing books. I am just an aspiring entrepreneur with a God and a dream who wants to make a positive impact on the world, while inspiring others to do the same,” said Adria, who is the “Brooke” in Brooke & Lee. Striving to be an inspiration to like-minded entrepreneurs, both religious and non-religious, Adria hopes to exemplify the meaning of dedication and servant leadership by mentoring and empowering others through her actions.

Her first children’s book, “Dear

“DAVE THE BRAVE” hopes to inspire both the young and the young at heart

ADRIA MCCARDY, the “Brooke” of “Brooke & Lee”

Santa, Dear Friend”, was released in 2014. It is a book to help readers fuse the joy of Santa Claus with the real magic of Jesus.

This summer, Brooke & Lee introduced “Dave the Brave”. And while its the second children’s book for Adria, it is the first one she has written with her sister, Kristi Collie – the duo’s “Lee”.

“Dave the Brave” utilises an interactive storybook format by combining “the joy of reading with the excitement of colouring,” the two authors said.

The 38-page Color Me Reading publication tells the story of

KRISTI COLLIE, the “Lee” of “Brooke & Lee”

how Delicate Dave’s life and confidence are changed forever just as he is about to give up.

Brooke & Lee’s book may have been written with children in mind, but the authors said the principles apply to all ages.

“With lessons on self-love, courage, faith and love, we are reminded that our decisions can affect ourselves, our dreams and our realities,” the authors said.

Brooke & Lee have set out to create true magic by artistically reminding their readers that with the help of God anything can be achieved.

There are tentative plans to re-

THE MCCARDYS – a family of authors who seek to share the love of God

lease Adria’s “Dear Santa, Dear Friend” under the Brooke & Lee brand.

“Dave the Brave” is the seventh book to be published within the McCardy family.

Three were released by Hope McCardy: “Be Blessed and Encouraged”, “31 Days of Praying God’s Wisdom for Myself”, “31 Days of Praying God’s Wisdom for My Husband” and “31 Days of Praying God’s Wisdom for My Children”.

One book, “The Legend of the Flaming Dragon”, was published

by Rashad McCardy. “Dear San-

ta, Dear Friend” and “Believe” were written by Adria McCardy, and now “Dave the Brave” by Brooke & Lee joins the impressive list.

All seven books can be purchased on Amazon.com.

“Dave the Brave” is also available at barnesandnoble.com, booksamillion.com, and locally at Logos Bookstore in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza. Shipping to the Family Islands is also being offered.

For more information about the book and Brooke & Lee, visit www.brookeandlee.com.