through the centuries. It has always been a meeting- place for peoples of different races and origins. And it was perhaps not by accident that on the shores of that island group Christopher Columbus many centuries ago established the tist contacts between Europe and the Americas. 64. Apart from possessing many other qualities that have already been mentioned here this morning, the Bahamas have developed, above all, one of the most significant and most advancd tourist industries in the Wes,tern Hemisphere and have thus set an example for ‘4 5 I ‘>I 4 the successful exploitation of an important natural: !i; 1 resource- the natural beauty and climate of countries.: !‘i That is what Austria shares with the Bahamas. It< ,‘,) would indeed be difficult to find common features’ 1 between my country, land-locked in the heart of’ “4 Europe, and the Bahamas,, a group of 700 islands:&;( close to the American continent. But we feel a corn- A mu&y of purpose with this new nation in its en-:$ deavour to develop tourism as a principal natural ;,$I resource and an important industry and source of ,;;, revenue. L,l 65. The United Nations has been dealing with the8 Territory of the Bahamas since 1964 and we are happy to note that, after nine years, the principles of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence 1 co Colonial Countries and Peoples have been success- fully implemented there. Indeed, as far back as 1965’ and 1966, Mr. Pindling, then Leader of the Opposi- tion and of the Progressive Liberal Party in the Bahamas, appeared with his colleagues before the Special Committee of Twenty-Four. And it shows the significant role of the United Nations in the process of independence of countries now its Members that in this case too the Committee of Twenty-Four and 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the Bahamas' economic development, specifically the growth of its tourism industry, and its relationship with Austria. The text also mentions the United Nations' involvement in the Bahamas' independence process. This suggests that the category should be related to economic development and international relations.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade