Vision 2040, National Development Plan of the Bahamas

Modern, Open and Accountable Service Oriented Government that is well trusted by citizens, residents and the business community

1.1 Strengthen internal government decision-making processes to deliver results for the people of The Bahamas and promote equal representation in all decision making levels

1.2 Create a skilled, responsive and accountable public service that provides value to Bahamians, investors and visitors

1.3 Increase the transparency of government decisions and transparency in campaign financing to improve confidence in public institutions and political actors respectively

1.4 Increased accountability for government spending

1.5 Implement a one window service-to-citizen strategy under the auspices of a new Agency: Service Bahamas

Well Governed Public Institutions

2.1 Strengthen the Corporate Governance of Public Boards and Committees

2.2 Strengthen operations of public utilities corporations

2.3 Ensure transparent and accountable operations of government-owned or funded agencies

2.4 Strengthen the effectiveness of local government

2.5 Strengthen the effectiveness special zones, business development zones, freeports and export processing zones

2.6 The Bahamas will promote greater civic engagement and education at all levels of society to strengthen democracy

Respect for the Rule of Law

3.1 Develop, test and implement policies that encourage the creation of a law-abiding society

3.2 Implement programmes that detect at-risk youth at an early stage and employ innovative techniques to deter criminal activity

3.3 Strengthen the capacity of communities to participate in creating safe neighbourhoods

Administration of Justice

4.1 Strengthen the enforcement of the law by the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force

4.2 zero tolerance specifically murder, sex-related violence, crimes against children and the elderly and home invasions

4.3 Enhance service delivery at the Office of The Attorney General

4.4 Enhance service delivery of the Courts

4.5 Strengthen the Independence and Impartiality of the courts

4.6 Build greater capacity within the prison system to reduce recidivism while creating more humane conditions for prisoners

Modern, Sustainable & Universally Accessible Health Care System

5.1 Ensure universal access to health

5.2 Ensure sustainable funding for National Health Insurance (NHI)

5.3 Deliver integrated people-centered health care, services and programs focused on maintaining healthy individuals within an efficient, well governed system. Improve focus on wellness and the determinants of health

5.4 Rationalize and integrate health care governance, administration and service delivery including through the use of Information Communication Technology (ict)

5.5 Increase the national focus on Reproductive and Sexual Health

5.6 Increase the national focus on Mental Health

Education

6.1 Ensure that there is adequate funding for education

6.2 Enhance Teacher Training and Quality Assurance

6.3 Deliver education infrastructure at all levels to deliver quality education

6.4 Introduce universal preschool and enhance early childhood education

6.5 Improve basic education (numeracy and literacy) across all levels of the education system

6.6 Continue to promote STEM Education for a modern world

6.7 Enhance the provision of special education to ensure equity in education and enhance the employability of students with special needs

6.8 Improve the accessibility of quality higher education

6.9 Improve the accessibility of quality technical and vocational education and apprenticeships to ensure employable skills and to meet the needs of the economy

6.10 Strengthen programmes aimed at work force readiness, adult education and second chance education opportunities.

6.11 Institute policies and programmes to close the achievement gaps between boys and girls and public and private schools

Poverty and Discrimination

7.1 Achieve food security, end hunger and improve nutrition for all

7.2 Create policies which enable full participation of poor and vulnerable groups in economic opportunities for sustainable livelihoods

7.3 Create a level playing field for the youth to realise their fullest potential by implementing programmes geared to assist their entry into the labour market and to aid in their educational and social development

7.4 Promote policies which encourage participatory governance and community engagement in policy development and service delivery

7.5 Strengthen Civil Society and position The Bahamas as a leader for social entrepreneurship and a model for development for small islands states through partnerships between government, the private sector and civil society

7.6 Develop and revitalize neglected and marginalised communities across the country to ensure that these communities have access to improved housing, water and sanitation

7.7 Eliminate inequality by removing discriminatory laws, policies and practices to ensure social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, and religion, economic or other status

7.8 Strengthen the provision of social protection to ensure that all vulnerable groups have access to adequate safety nets

7.9 Build Capacity of Agencies Serving Vulnerable Groups (Gender Equality SDG 5 Target 5.C, Peace Justice and Strong Institutions

7.10 Strengthen the provision of social protection to ensure that all vulnerable groups have access to adequate safety nets

7.11 Improve data collection to accurately analyse the nature and depth of poverty and discrimination in The Bahamas

Land Administration

8.1 Create an efficient land administration system and efficient land agencies

8.2 Create comprehensive solutions to address land ownership and development challenges in New Providence and the Family Islands

8.3 Strengthen the administration of Crown Land and increase transparency in the allocation of Crown land

8.4 Create a land use plan that guides The Bahamas’s physical development over the next 25 years. (Strategy 8.4 should also be read together with Goal 11 which also addresses land use.)

Modern Infrastructure

9.1 Implement a strategic framework that guides infrastructure decisions

9.2 Ensure Bahamians have long term access to reliable power, water, sewer, services at a reasonable price

9.3 Enhance the country’s electronic communications infrastructure to facilitate universal access to affordable and reliable communications (including broadcasting) services that will promote the achievement of the Bahamas’ smart and sustainable nation development goals.

9.4 Create a robust ICT infrastructure (networks, systems, etc.) that would facilitate the ubiquitous use of ICTs that would result in improvements to the quality of life of citizens, more efficient and competitive enterprises and the effective delivery of services in a sustainable manner

Interconnected Transport

10.1 Create and implement a National Transportation Strategy including strategic investments and effective policy environment

10.2 Create and implement a Public Transit Strategy on New Providence

10.3 The Bahamas will have a modern postal system that provides adequate domestic and international services to New Providence and the Family Islands

Natural Environment

11.1 Position The Bahamas as a leader in researching and implementing climate change adaptation and mitigation measures and as an incubator of green technologies

11.2 Integrate disaster risk reduction into sustainable development policies and planning and build resilience to hazards

11.3 Sustainably manage and use natural resources while guarding against anthropogenic influences, unsustainable practices and invasive species which undermine terrestrial and marine ecosystems

11.4 Successfully implement a modern waste management strategy that includes public education and new services to sustainably manage waste

Healthy Macro-Economy

12.1 Maintain the Strength of the Bahamian Dollar vis-a-vis the US dollar

12.2 Strengthen the debt sustainability framework

12.3 Improve national fiscal management

12.4 Create a more progressive and efficient tax system

12.5 Create a more transparent/reporting fiscal relationship between the Central Government and local communities and island districts

12.6 Improve financial literacy and personal financial management such that personal saving, investments, financial resilience and ownership in the local economy are improved

12.7 Strengthen and enhances measures of economic growth and GDP

12.8 Continue to strengthen financial sector stability and regulation

12.9 Develop a comprehensive Industrial Policy aimed at encouraging the development and growth of high impact sectors, innovation and research and development and logistics services to support trade Promote the use of public and private partnerships to substantially increase The Bahamas economic performance and promote Bahamian workers and owners, linkages between economic sectors, sustainable business practices

12.10 The Bahamas will continue to attract high levels of FDI in sectors which promote sustainable economic development. The FDI policy should seek out investment in targeted areas to ensure its maximum effectiveness and impact on the overall economic wellbeing of the country and to reduce the risk of FDI enclaves

Competitive Business Environment

13.1 Introduce the necessary legislative, policy and procedure reforms that will enable The Bahamas to be one of the most business friendly countries in the World

13.2 Government to implement a one window service-to-business strategy

13.3 Improve access to financing for Entrepreneurs

13.4 Establish several business empowerment zones which attract business and investment in targeted sectors to encourage the formation of clusters, innovation and knowledge exchange to increase competitiveness and ease the complexity of doing business

13.5 Improve worker productivity and soft skills to lower the cost of doing business in The Bahamas to better compete on an efficiency basis

13.6 Strengthen trade policy to creates advantages for Bahamian entrepreneurs, exporters and consumers

13.7 Introduce development focused Immigration policies that encourage the best global minds to live and work in The Bahamas to encourage the growth of the Bahamian economy in a manner which promotes the prosperity of Bahamians

13.8 Ensure that the Bahamian workforce is appropriately tooled to meet the needs of a revitalized Bahamian economy

13.9 Introduce an investment and project framework that allows The Bahamas to maximize value from the utilization of its resources. This includes improving the environment for developing entrepreneurship opportunities.

Diversified Economy

Goal 14a: The Bahamas will have a sustainable tourism sector which positively and significantly contributes to economic growth and development; is an engine for stable job creation and a source of entrepreneurial opportunities

Goal 14b: The Bahamas will become a leading global financial services centre which is internationally connected, diversified and resilient

Goal 14c: Leveraging its technical capabilities, natural endowments and human talent, The Bahamas will develop new growth sectors to encourage opportunities for entrepreneurship and expand the knowledge and creative economy and its industrial and agriculture base

Fair and Flexible Labour Regime

15.1 Undertake a full analytic review of labour regimes in similar economies including benefits, hours and minimum wage to ensure the Bahamian worker is fairly rewarded for his or her contributions

15.2 Evaluate the future skills needs of the country and ensure that they are met.

15.3 Strengthen the labour laws and the adjudication of labour disputes Improving the Meritocracy in the Governance and Management of the Labour force in the civil service

Culture shall be recognised as a driver and enabler for the sustainable development of The Bahamas

16.1 Build and develop the cultural infrastructure and opportunities of The Bahamas to encourage strong, inclusive and cohesive communities, the preservation of Bahamian heritage and the growth and evolution of Bahamian cultural expression

16.2 Strengthen the Creative Economy of The Bahamas to become a hub for creative entrepreneurs and companies