Provides information on any manufacturing sectors or services where only citizens or a sub-set of the population in that country are allowed to own or sell.
Last Published: 6/23/2016

The following business areas/sectors have been reserved for Bahamian Nationals only:

  • Wholesale and Retail Operations.

  • Commission agencies engaged in the import/export trade.

  • Real estate and domestic property management agencies.

  • Domestic newspapers and magazine publications.

  • Domestic advertising and public relations firms.

  • Security services.

  • Domestic distribution of building supplies.

  • Construction companies, except for special structures for which international expertise is required.

  • Personal cosmetic/beauty establishments.

  • Shallow water scale-fish, crustacean, mollusks and sponge-fishing operations.

  • Auto and appliance service operations.

  • Public transportation inclusive of locally solicited charter boat tours.

  • Landscaping.

There have been exceptions to this policy and there are several examples where international companies have been allowed market access.   In addition, investors may engage in the wholesale distribution of any product they produce locally.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.