Prime Minister Philip Davis’s Remarks at the Groundbreaking of Amancaya Exuma

Friends,

Just a few weeks ago, we stood together here in Exuma to sign new airport agreements for Farmer’s Cay and Staniel Cay, investments that will strengthen connectivity across The Bahamas and open new opportunities for the people of these islands.

Today, we return to begin something special.

We are here to break ground on a project built on excellence and culture, a project that will shape the story of this island and add a meaningful chapter to the national story of The Bahamas.

Today, we place the first shovels into the soil. We break ground on a development that represents opportunity and progress for the people of Exuma.

But this day is about more than construction. Today is about the story of this place.

Exuma is admired across the world for its beauty and its quiet luxury. Yet for those who call Exuma home, it is far more than a destination.

It is family.

It is where generations have lived, where children have grown, where lessons have been passed down in books and in lived experience.

It is a place where stories of resilience and hard work have been told and carried forward through every generation.

And that is why today matters. This groundbreaking is about attracting the world to Exuma, and it is about connecting the world with those stories.

It is fitting, then, that a brand like Aman has chosen Exuma.

Aman is known globally for its excellence in service and its deep respect for place and culture. Their choice to invest here speaks to the enduring strength of The Bahamas as a premier destination.

So, to Aman, and to its leadership, I say thank you.

This two hundred and sixty million dollar investment will span across Children’s Bay Cay, Williams Cay, and Madam Daus Cay. 

It will bring to life a thirty-six pavillion hotel alongside a limited collection of fully serviced residences, supported by amenities including a marina, a beach club, a spa, and exceptional dining.

Amancaya will be known for its luxury and its hospitality.

But its true value goes beyond that.

This investment represents a real opportunity for the people of Exuma.

With more than five hundred jobs, this development will help shape new chapters in the lives of many Bahamians. It will give strength to the stories that have long defined this community, stories of perseverance, of pride, and of possibility.

Beyond employment, this development creates opportunities for small business owners, for local suppliers, for farmers and fishers, and for Bahamian artisans whose work carries the richness of our culture.

It means greater demand for all things Bahamian.

It means that the culture of this island will be preserved and celebrated.

And that matters, because true development must never come at the expense of identity. It must protect it.

And this is where Aman’s approach stands apart.

Through its community initiatives, Aman has demonstrated a clear commitment to culture and connection. They have supported the Exuma Regatta and worked with local businesses to expand access for the people of Exuma.

Their commitment to sustainability is equally important.

I am advised that Aman is pursuing LEED certification, a globally recognized standard for responsible and sustainable design. 

This development is being built with care, with intention, and with respect for the natural environment that makes Exuma extraordinary.

We are developing while protecting. We are honouring the story of a place while writing a new one.

As a government, we remain committed to the need for balance.

We have made it clear that development in The Bahamas must extend beyond Nassau, because the Family Islands are central to our national growth and to our national identity.

Right here in Exuma, we have taken meaningful steps to support that vision. This island is growing, and it is growing in the right way.

But growth must always translate into opportunity, and it must be felt by the people who call this place home.

For the young people of this island, this moment carries a powerful message: you can stay, and you can build. Opportunity does not require you to leave the community you love. Your future can be written right here at home.

For our partners and investors, this groundbreaking sends a message of confidence. We have confidence in our country, in our people, and in our progress.

Beyond our shores, this groundbreaking tells the world that The Bahamas is a place where responsible investment is welcomed and where partnerships can flourish.

Today, we break ground for the future of Exuma.

And we break ground on a promise: the Family Islands are central to the story of this nation.

So, I extend sincere congratulations to Dona Bertarelli, to Vlad Doronin, to the Aman Group, and most importantly, to the wonderful people of Exuma.

When Amancaya opens its doors, may it be filled with the stories of this island, with its resilience, its culture, and its community.

God bless this project, and may God continue to bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Thank you.