Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. Chester Cooper revealed that the Saudi Fund For Development is set to reallocate $100 million earmarked for airports in Exuma and Eleuthera for the construction of the Grand Bahama International Airport. He was addressing this year’s Exuma Business Outlook event on Thursday.
Cooper told ZNS News that approval for the move was received this week. He said, “we’re executing the documents and this is the last plank in ensuring that the Grand Bahama International Airport gets going.”
In 2024, an agreement was signed with Aerodrome Limited, Manchester Airport Group (MAG) Limited and BHM Construction International UK for the redevelopment of the airport at a cost of $200 million.
According to the minister the Manchester Airport Group will manage the facility and a team of Bahamian contractors are ready. Cooper said, “the government of The Bahamas are putting the pieces together to mobilize in the near term and once we have completed the process of paperwork etc. the Saudi funds will kick in. I expect that to take a few months but the reality is we’re hoping to find a way to mobilize immediately so that the work can get going.”
The Saudi injection will fund phase one of the project which includes a terminal building and pre-clearance facility. “We are hopeful that when this is well advanced that the US government will consider favourably the re-establishment of pre-clearance in Grand Bahama,” he said.
According to the minister the reallocation of funds will not impact the work being conducted at other airports.
