The Government of Anguilla signed a Memorandum of Understanding with local developer Mr Quincy Gumbs for Royal Caribbean on Wednesday afternoon March 13th in the Ministry of Finance conference room.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chief Minister the Honourable Hubert Hughes, who is also Minister of Tourism said government fully supports any local project which is good for Anguilla.
Mr Hughes said: “We’re very happy today that this is indigenous, this is one of us, this is Anguilla and a lot has been given away from Anguilla in the past and at least Mr Gumbs is ensuring that we hold on to something. So I’m very happy to be here on this historical occasion to sign this MOU and hope that with the signing of the MOU Mr Gumbs will go fast ahead in completing the project.
Mr Quincy Gumbs said that after years of being ignored and pushed aside he was pleased his company was now able to progress. He stated that as a result of the financial collapse Anguilla had suffered and he had told government officials “we must never entrust the economy of our island to direct foreign investment.”
He said, “We will do whatever we can to build our new economy on the backs of, and the sweat and patriotism of Anguillians who want to invest in this economy and who want to be there for our country.
Mr Gumbs further added: “These delays send a wrong message to investors and bankers. The message sent is that the government of Anguilla is not necessarily interested in local development and I’m sure this is not a message that the government wants to send. But by virtue of the many delays and the inactivity on the part of government this is the message that goes out.”
Mr Gumbs said so far he had spent over 60 million US dollars from family funds into the Resort.
The Honourable Jerome Roberts said, Mr Gumbs’ project was a local venture and one that was welcomed in Anguilla.
Other Government Officials present were Minster of MICU the Honourable Evan Gumbs; Adviser Mr Sam Webster, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for Tourism Mr Haydn and former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Mr Marcel Fahie. Whose assistance Mr Gumbs sought for his project.
