It was reported this week that China Construction America appealed the decision of New York Justice, Andrew Borrok who granted Sarkis Izmirlian’s BML Properties Ltd. $1.6 billion in damages in a long running court battle between the two entities.

The Free National Movement (FNM) has accused the government of a lack of transparency regarding its dealings with the  original Baha Mar developer, Sarkis Izmirlian and China Construction America.  They are also of the view that the ruling will not bode well for the future of the country.

When asked about the opposition’s comments on Wednesday Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis said, “Baha Mar is open despite with that pundits were saying in 2017.  Recall its the same FNM were in opposition that were saying that the opening of Baha Mar was fake, that it was not true and that it was not going to happen.  But what happened, its open, more than 5000 Bahamians are working.”

The Prime Minister added, “the gloom and doom about investor confidence has also been a sounding board for the opposition but look at what has happened over the last several months.”

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Progressive Liberal Party Chairman, the Hon. Fred Mitchell has been vocal on the subject since the ruling.  He has said that Izmirlian was “seeking to tell a narrative that does not line up with the facts.” Mitchell’s comments has garnered criticism however, the Prime Minister defended him saying, “yes there’ll be views as to whether or how he should go about it but he’s adopted the approach that he has and he is fact checking the pundits.”

The government and Baha Mar officials recently signed an agreement for the expansion of the property estimated at $350 million dollars.