The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A top Ministry of Finance officials says the government is examining ways to improve the collection of boating fees, with preliminary discussions already held with stakeholders.

“The government is looking at ways to improve the administration of boating fees and the like,” said Marlon Johnson, acting financial secretary, when contacted by Tribune Business. “We are having preliminary discussions with stakeholders and the technology provider. That is all I would say at this juncture.”

Basil Smith, Association of The Bahamas Marinas (ABM) executive director, told Tribune Business that a single electronic portal for the payment of fees such as cruising permits and the yacht charter fee was in the works.

“We think that would be a huge step forward. We have been advocating for such a platform to make it easier for boaters for many years now, and we finally seem to be getting somewhere,” said Mr Smith.

He added that such a facility would not only benefit boaters but help the government with revenue collection. “The ability to secure yacht charter fees would be incorporated in that as well, so that would be a huge plus. That’s an issue we have raised in the past,” said Mr Smith.

Marina operators have long urged the government to pursue the largely uncollected four percent Charter Fee levied against foreign yachts, describing it as “low hanging fruit” and estimating that it was only collecting about 30 percent of revenues due.