By Julian Reid
Bahama Journal News Editor
Prime Minister Philip Davis told businesspeople in New York on Thursday that The Bahamas offers certainty. “Certainty in our governance. Certainty in our legal framework. Certainty in our business environment. And certainty in our direction as a nation committed to stability, integrity, and sustainable growth”. His comments were made as he delivered the keynote address at the start of the 2025 Bahamas Business and Investment Forum.
The Prime Minister said that investors around the world are rethinking their strategies and are looking for jurisdictions that are “safe, transparent, predictable, and welcoming. Places where capital is protected. Where the rule of law is not an aspiration, but a guarantee. Where leaders are accessible, and the path from proposal to progress is not mired in red tape.”
Prime Minister Davis said firmly that The Bahamas meets that moment. “We are a stable democracy — the oldest in the region — with a legal system rooted in English Common Law and a final court of appeal that remains the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England. We boast a robust financial services sector, a business-friendly tax environment, and one of the most dynamic tourism economies in the hemisphere,” he said.
He added that beyond facts and figures, The Bahamas offers investors something rare: clarity. “We know who we are. We know what we offer. And we know where we’re going,” he said.
“Our government is focused on providing smart, targeted reforms to enhance the ease of doing business. We are modernizing infrastructure, digitizing services, upgrading energy systems, and removing outdated bureaucratic hurdles — all to ensure that your investments in The Bahamas are not only secure, but positioned to grow.”
Mr. Davis highlighted something he believes makes The Bahamas stand apart. “We understand that for investment to thrive, stability must be more than a talking point — it must be delivered in practice. That’s why we have worked diligently to maintain political continuity, policy coherence, and economic prudence.”
“We have avoided the wild swings in direction that investors fear. Our monetary policy is steady. Our fiscal consolidation is delivering results. Our debt is declining. And our credit rating outlook was recently upgraded by Moody’s — a signal of growing international confidence in our economic stewardship,” he affirmed.
Reinforcing the premise of certainty, the Prime Minister said, “certainty attracts capital. But long-term success — the kind investors are really looking for — comes from more than stability. It comes from growth. From partnership. From confidence that you’re not just entering a market — you’re becoming part of its future.”
The Prime Minister told the international investors that The Bahamas Government will work with them through every phase of their investment. “From inquiry to implementation, from licensing to operations to expansion, this administration is available, responsive, and focused on results.”
He referred them to the Investment Promotion and Facilitation Unit at the Office of the Prime Minister which “is designed to be your single point of contact — cutting through bureaucracy, coordinating across agencies, and ensuring that your project isn’t delayed by red tape or unnecessary silos.”
The Prime Minister pointed out that while the government is eager to diversify the Bahamian economy “our traditional strengths — tourism, financial services, and logistics — continue to grow. But we’re also creating the policy and regulatory frameworks to support investment in renewable energy, digital assets, blue economy ventures, technology parks, and climate adaptation infrastructure.”
He also spoke to the importance of the DARE (Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges ) Act and the collapse of FTX. “The Bahamas was at the centre of a global firestorm. But in the aftermath, something important happened: Our institutions held. Our regulators acted swiftly. Our courts operated with transparency. And while some jurisdictions scrambled for answers, we were already implementing them. That moment became a global proof point — not of failure, but of resilience.”
This is the second Bahamas Business and Investment Forum put on by The Bahamas Embassy in the United States and hosted by Ambassador Wendall Jones. During his remarks introducing Prime Minister Davis Ambassador Jones said, “Prime Minister Davis, a leader who is fastidious in his attention to fiscal matters, has positioned our nation for sustained growth by maintaining strict financial discipline, reinforcing our banking laws, and championing innovative public–private partnerships. The positive indices highlighted by the rating agencies, and the enthusiasm of global fund managers all point to one clear message: The Bahamas is good for business, and the opportunities abound for those who seek progress, and wholesome investments.”
He added, “our commitment to environmental protection and sustainability further enhances our investment climate. We understand that true prosperity requires a healthy ecosystem. That is why we have implemented forward–thinking policies on coastal resilience, renewable energy, and marine conservation. These steps create the right climate for both nature and for investment.”
The two-day event at the Metropolitan Club is being held under the theme “Embracing Opportunities in Paradise.”
