Some U.S. companies have alleged a lack of transparency and undue political influence with government bidding and procurement processes. There is no requirement to engage in open public tenders, and award decisions are not subject to review. These processes are governed by the Public Procurement Act and the Financial Administration and Audit Act of 1973. A Government minister can approve any purchase up to $50,000; purchases of equal to or greater than $50,000, but less than $250,000 must be approved by the tenders board, chaired by the Minister of Finance; and amounts exceeding $250,000 require Cabinet approval.
This information is derived from the State Department's Office of Investment Affairs Investment Affairs' Investment Climate Statement. Any questions on the ICS can be directed to [email protected]
Last Published:9/27/2016
The Government has implemented procurement procedures in the management of funds from international lending agencies, but has not yet implemented best international practices for the management of national finances. In several highly publicized requests for proposal, the Government has not met self imposed deadlines and contract renewals have been pending for 12 months or more. Successive governments sometimes review contracts executed by previous administrations, although government officials assert that the majority of contracts are not reviewed or altered in any way. However, the Embassy is aware of instances where contracts have been cancelled. Other areas of concern noted by companies include the discretionary issuance of approvals and licenses from various government authorities. Companies complain that in some instances these approval processes can be opaque with no possibility for review or appeal of a decision. The Bahamian government has publicly committed to modernizing and reforming government procurement. The review of the procurement process is being financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, and will include the transition to program-based budgeting and the creation of an integrated financial management system to collect statistics, oversee the procurement process, and perform evaluation and monitoring functions. Public companies listed on the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) are required to prepare annual and quarterly financial statements in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (IRFS). Draft legislation, in general, is subject to a public consultation process. The Bahamas has recently established a national standards bureau and is receiving technical assistance from the Bureau of Standards of Jamaica, the Caribbean Regional Organization for Quality and Standards, and the European Union Development Fund. Despite calls by some Bahamian government officials to permit international law firms to establish business operations in The Bahamas, particularly to serve the securities and financial services sectors, the bar association to date has resisted a further opening of the legal profession in the country, citing immigration concerns. (This is distinct from the practice of permitting international lawyers to engage in litigation in special cases or to practice in areas where expertise is lacking.) Download one piece sub indo episode 615. According to Transparency Internationalâs 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index, The Bahamas ranked 24 out of 175 countries with a score of 71 out of 100. The country is not listed in the 2015 Index. Hacked Arcade Games is a game sites that started in 2005 and we have more then 20,000 of the best games and update the site every day. We are dedicated to bring our users the best games and the best gaming experience on the internet. Chaos Faction 2 has a rating of 4.55 and has been played 671466 times. Check out some of our Shooting Games, Puzzle Games, Strategy Games, Tower Defence Games, and many more. Hacked Arcade Games is fun for all ages. Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.BahamasEconomic Development and InvestmentLaw Most U.S. citizens acquire their citizenship by being born within the United States. Children born outside the United States to one or two U.S. citizen parents can also acquire U.S. citizenship at birth if certain conditions are met. Other persons may acquire U.S. citizenship later in life due to naturalization (either intentional or automatic). Determining a Claim to U.S. Citizenship of a Child Born in The Bahamas or the Turks and Caicos Islands to at Least One U.S. Citizen ParentThe birth of a child in The Bahamas or the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCIs) to a U.S. citizen parent (or parents) should be reported as soon as possible to the U.S. consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Nassau for the purpose of assessing the childâs claim to U.S. citizenship at birth. The official record is in the form of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America, Form FS-240. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) can be prepared only at the U.S. consular office in the country/region where the child was born and typically can only be done while the child is under the age of 18. If your child was born elsewhere than The Bahamas or the TCIs, please contact the U.S. Embassy/Consulate having U.S. consular jurisdiction over the place the child was born. In order to determine the childâs citizenship under the appropriate provisions of U.S. law, the following documents must be submitted:
Acceptable documents as proof of presence are school transcripts, tax returns, W2âs or statement and earnings report from the Social Security Administration.
To apply for a CRBA, the U.S. citizen parent (or one of two U.S. citizen parents) and the child must be present at the Embassy. Please see ACS appointment system instructions to schedule an appointment. We encourage you to apply for a U.S. passport at the same time you make the CRBA application. Both parents and the child must be present. Please see Passports for Children for more information. An Application for a U.S. Social Security Number SS-5 should also be filed along with the application for CRBA. If you cannot download the forms contact the Consular section at [email protected] and forms will be mailed to you. Please note: Acquisition of U.S. citizenship through birth abroad to a U.S. citizen parent requires a âblood relationshipâ of parent and child â the child must be the biological child of the U.S. citizen parent. Adopted children and step-children of U.S. citizens may be able to obtain U.S. citizenship or residence under other sections of law. Parents of such children should contact the consular section for information specific to their situation. Third Party Attendance at Passport and CRBA Appointment InterviewsGenerally, immediate family members may accompany passport or CRBA applicants to their appointment interviews at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and all minor children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Passport or CRBA applicants also have the option of being accompanied by an attorney at their appointment interview. Attendance by any third party, including an attorney, accompanying an applicant is subject to the following parameters designed to ensure an orderly appointment interview process and to maintain the integrity of the adjudication of the application(s):
Attendees may not engage in any conduct that violates this policy and/or otherwise materially disrupts the appointment interview. Failure to observe these parameters will result in a warning to the attendee and, if ignored, the attendee may be asked to leave the appointment interview and/or the premises, as appropriate. It would then be the applicantâs choice whether to continue the appointment interview without the attendee present, subject to the consular officerâs discretion to terminate the appointment interview. The safety and privacy of all applicants awaiting consular services, as well as of consular and embassy personnel, is of paramount consideration. This information is derived from the State Department's Office of Investment Affairsâ Investment Climate Statement. Any questions on the ICS can be directed to [email protected]Last Published:9/27/2016The Bahamas is an observer in the WTO and is not a party to the agreement on Trade Related Investment Measures (TRIMS). It has signed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the countries of the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) States (CARIFORUM) and the European Union (EU). GCOB officials have informed the Embassy that the Government is actively involved in developing measures to implement the terms of the EPA that will include measures exceeding the WTO/TRIMS obligations. BahamasEconomic Development and InvestmentLaw Planning Your Flight to the Tropicsby John T. Kounis
[Note: The article that appears here was the Flying Tips article published in the March/April 2008 issue of Pilot Getaways.] I vividly remember the excitement of my first international flight. Although it was just a 20-minute jaunt across the U.S.âMexico border, I had been apprehensive weeks in advance. But the actual crossing was mundane. The engine kept droning along, oblivious to the fact that we were now in foreign airspace. Thatâs when it became clear that flying internationally is simply a matter of a little bureaucracy, and is well worth the effort. Flight PlanningPilots who have not flown abroad may be apprehensive about flying to the Bahamas, especially if they havenât flown over water before. However, with a little advance planning, most pilots have found the flight goes smoothly and leaves them with lasting memories. Trip PreparationApply for your passport well in advance. Recent changes in passport requirements have resulted in many new passport applications, increasing the processing time beyond the official three to four weeks. Verify that you have the standard aircraft and pilot documents that are required for any flight: a pilot certificate and a current medical for you, and airworthiness and registration certificates, operating limitations, and weight and balance for the airplane. Youâll need the permanent aircraft registration; a temporary âpink slipâ is not valid for international travel. International flights require a radiotelephone operatorâs license for you and a radio station license for the airplane. To get them, submit three FCC forms (159, 160, and 605), along with a $50â$100 application fee. Download the forms from the FCCâs website or apply online, (202) 418-0680, http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=licensing&id=aircraft_stations. Also, check with your insurance agent to confirm that you are insured in the Bahamas. Get a customs user fee decal, which costs $27.50 and is valid for one calendar year, at www.cbp.gov (click âTravelâ and then âUser Fee Decals and Transpondersâ). For more information on customs procedures, download the âGuide for Private Flyersâ from the CBPâs Travel page. U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are required for each occupant; a life boat is recommended as well. Hangar 63, Banyanâs Aviation Store at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), sells vests for $46 and Survival Products life rafts for $1,095â $1,295, MonâSat 8 a.m.â7 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.â 6 p.m., (954) 493-8615 or (888) 305-4932, www.hangar63.com. You can also rent life vests for $6 per day or rafts for $35 per day at Banyanâs FBO counter, open 24 hours, (954) 491-3170, www.banyanair.com. Ask them for a Bahamas packet, with all the forms youâll need as well as useful information. The staff will even help you fill out the forms. If youâll be flying over water regularly, you may want to upgrade to lighter, more comfortable vests, like SOSPENDERS. Their Coast Guard-approved, inflatable Nomex vest has multiple pockets for gear, $219. One of the most useful items you can put in those pockets is a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), such as the ACR Microfix that I carry, $650. Both the PLB and the vest are available from Prepared Pilot, (801) 455-5271 or (866) 869-9639, www.preparedpilot.com. The Miami Sectional Aeronautical Chart covers the western Bahamas, including Nassau, Freeport, Treasure Cay, northÂwestern Eleuthera, and the northwestern Exumas. To go any farther east or south, youâll need the CH-25 or CJ-26 WAC charts. The âBahamas & Caribbean Pilotâs Guideâ by Pilot Publishing is an indispensable, illustrated airport directory for the Bahamas, and most of the Caribbean including Cuba, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. airports of entry in Florida. Caribbean Sky Tours provides one copy for each airplane on their group trips, and to customers of their vacation planning services, (786) 206-6147 or (866) 420-9265, www.caribbeanskytours.com. It is also available through Pilot Getaways, (818) 241-1890 or (877) 4-AVBOOK, shop.pilotgetaways.com. Flying to The BahamasTwelve-inch N-numbers are required on aircraft in the ADIZ. If theyâre not painted on, you can use duct tape like I do. File an international VFR or IFR flight plan and activate it before you penetrate the ADIZ eastbound. You should request customs by indicating âADCUSâ on your flight plan, although itâs a good idea to call ahead and confirm Bahamian customs availability if youâre flying into a small airport with irregular customs service. The overwater distance is about 50 nm from the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area to Bimini and another 60 nm to Andros Island. From the West Palm Beach area, itâs about 60 nm over water to Grand Bahama Island (where Freeport is). You can fly most subsequent legs by âisland hoppingâ with shorter overwater distances, and youâll usually be in sight of land the entire time. Your first landing in the Bahamas will be at an airport of entry. Close your flight plan by using a âblue phoneâ that is available at all customs airports. It has speed-dial buttons for free telephone connections to Bahamian and U.S. flight service stations and customs facilities. Many airports in the Bahamas also have good, but expensive, cell phone coverage for GSM (AT&T or T-Mobile) phones. CDMA (Sprint/Verizon) phones will likely not be able to roam outside of Nassau, Freeport, or George Town. Roaming calls from U.S. cell phones run around $2 per minute. Check in with customs and immigration to show your aircraft paperwork and passports, fill out a form C7A (Inward Declaration and Cruising Permit for Private Aircraft Entering the Bahamas), provide a general declaration form for your flight, and receive Bahamas Immigration cards. You can download a C7A at www.bahamas.com/assets/content/pdf/PilotC7form.pdf. Flying in The BahamasFlights from sunset to sunrise must be made under IFR; otherwise, most rules are similar to the United States. Fuel prices are also on par ($5.25 per gallon at Exuma International as of February 2008). An innovative document called the âPilot Bill of Rightsâ outlines all the services to which visiting pilots are entitled at any Bahamian government airport: no landing fees, tieÂdown fees, or customs & immigration overtime fees for any single-engine, non-commercial, aircraft under 6,000 lbs. For aircraft over 6,000 lbs., fees are reasonable; for example, the landing fee for a Cessna 337 at Exuma International was $6. (Fees at private airports may be different.) When you compare the language in the Bahamian Pilot Bill of Rights to the U.S. Customs Guide for Private Flyers, which lists all the violations you can make that could subject you to a $5,000 fine, it becomes apparent just how pilot-friendly The Bahamas are. Returning to the U.S.Youâll need to clear Bahamian exit customs at an airport of entry. Return your C7A, turn in The Bahamas Immigration cards, and pay a $15 per person departure tax at customs. You can file a flight plan back to the U.S. on the blue phone. You must also call the U.S. Customs office directly to inform them of your ETA at least 60 minutes in advance. When you call, request the ID of the officer you speak to (e.g. âTango-Alphaâ). You must clear U.S. customs at the airport of entry closest to the point that you cross the coast. For example, you cannot clear customs in Orlando; you would have to clear at West Palm Beach International (PBI) first. The list of approved airports is in the CBP âGuide for Private Flyers.â Bahamas ImmigrationIf you are on a VFR flight plan, contact Miami IFSS at least 15 minutes before you penetrate the ADIZ westbound for a squawk code. Miami ARTCC handles ADIZ notification automatically for IFR aircraft. If youâre running late, ask Miami IFSS to update your ETA with customs, since you are not permitted to arrive later than 15 minutes past your ETA. You also canât arrive early, so slow down or fly S-turns if you have to. When you land in the U.S., taxi to customs and park in the specially marked area in front of the building for clearance. Youâll need to show your customs decal, fill out an arrival report and immigration cards, and show your passports. Additional ResourcesThe Bahamas actively promotes general aviation. To learn more, contact Keith Gomez, the Aviation Specialist for The Bahamas Tourist Office, (954) 236-9292 or (800) 32-SPORT, flying.bahamas.com. For more information on flying to The Bahamas, vacation planning services, or to join an escorted fly-in, contact Caribbean Sky Tours, (786) 206-6147 or (866) 420-9265, www.caribbeanskytours.com. Comments are closed.
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