NEAR the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis presciently convened a National Economic Recovery Committee (ERC). The ERC was charged with offering his administration recommendations to help the country’s recovery during and after the pandemic.
The pandemic led to the worst downturn since the Great Depression, causing the collapse of tourism, record unemployment, the unprecedented slashing of government revenue, the need to feed approximately 100,000 Bahamians on a regular basis and other massive economic and social dislocation.
The committee, co-chaired by Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson and noted businessman Ken Kerr, was designed as a public-private committee to offer advice on economic reform and recovery measures during the worst public health crisis in a century.