By INDERIA SAUNDERS, Guardian Staff Reporter

inderia@nasguard.com

Investment officials announced that Bahamians would be given first preference as regards employment at the new southwestern development that is set to employ over one thousand workers immediately and another thousand upon completion.

Executives of the Albany Golf and Beach Club have signed a heads of agreement with the government that ensured that the company would search for Bahamians first before they looked internationally for employees. Minister of Financial Services and Investments, Vincent Peet, said the Albany resort agreed to make available to Bahamians any entrepreneurial opportunities that came about as a result of the development.

"Some 1,100 permanent full-time jobs will be created during this period. However, the number of Bahamian jobs created during this period through entrepreneurial and other spin-off activities could double that amount," said Minister of Financial Services and Investments, Vincent Peet.

He said the agreement outlined the purchase of marine agriculture, and other products from Bahamians where available and the reservation of any retail store operation for Bahamians only, which was pursuant to the national investment policy."Other notable provisions of the Heads of Agreement include the developer's obligations to utilize to the greatest extent possible, Bahamian musicians and entertainers in its entertainment facilities," said Mr. Peet.

Albany club has also committed to sending some of its prospective Bahamian employees abroad for extensive training and apprenticeship programs at premier residential resort clubs, the minister revealed.

"What we're going to do here is make an incredible investment in Bahamian people because what we are going to be doing is transporting some of the fantastic practices places like Atlantis has already done in this country and we hope to extend that and hopefully take it to a new level," said the executive. "The only way we can execute Albany to the standards we want is by working with Bahamians and we're thrilled about that."

Mr. Anand opined that many Bahamians would most likely be provided with opportunities to further extend their skills from the training that the resort will be providing. "I think all of these planners will hopefully take education and training and skilled labor to a whole 'another level, and we're excited about that," said Mr. Anand.

Minister Peet explained that in conjunction with the provisions of that real estate brokers and salesmen act, Albany must list properties for sale with Bahamian realtors, to give that sector of Bahamian business opportunity as well.

He said that as it was a Golf resort, Albany has entered into special arrangements with members of the Bahamian Golf Federation, the governing body of golf in The Bahamas, for the use of the signature golf course.

Said Anand: I sincerely hope the next Tiger Woods comes from The Bahamas."