(Nassau against backdrop of the harbour and Paradise Island)

Branson Eyes Resort Op

The Bahamas has the freest economy in the Caribbean region, according to the Economic Freedom of the World rankings released by the Fraser Institute. Although we're geographically situated in the Atlantic off the Florida coast and above the Caribbean, Fraser lumped us together with the Caribbean for the purposes of its study. It said the Bahamas leads the Caribbean with a worldwide ranking of 40th, according to a report published by Caribbean Journal. In spite of the global economic downturn, we're still attracting major players with Baha Mar well into construction of its spectacular $3.4 Billion resort here in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas. It's being billed as the largest project of its kind in the Bahamas and Caribbean. The mega-resort's being built by China State Construction Engineering Co. Ltd with financing by the Export-Import Bank of China. Billionaire business tycoon Richard Branson was recently here in the Bahamas to explore branding and other commercial options. The Virgin chief met personally with Baha Mar officials, according to the Nassau Guardian. Nassau Listings

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