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Extend tax breaks again so Abaco, GB 'roar back'

The further extension of Hurricane Dorian tax breaks is vital to the ability of Abaco and Grand Bahama's economies to "come roaring back", private sector leaders urged yesterday.

Lockdown easing is 'great relief' on Abaco

Abaco's Chamber of Commerce president hailed yesterday's further easing of lockdown restrictions as "a great relief" in the island's battle to recover from the twin ravages of Dorian and COVID-19.

Exempt Abaco cays from COVID curbs, private sector urges

Abaco's Chamber of Commerce has urged the Prime Minister to exempt some of the island's major cays from the new restrictions due to the presence of tourists and minimal number of COVID-19 cases.

Abaco seeks Dorian lockdown exemption

Abaco's Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said he will seek exemptions from the newly-unveiled COVID-19 weekend lockdown to ensure Hurricane Dorian reconstruction continues unimpeded.

Abaco fears 'irreparable blow' if further lockdown

Abaco's Chamber of Commerce president yesterday warned that reimposing a full COVID-19 lockdown on the island would deal its economy and Dorian recovery a "possibly irreparable blow".

Game plan to avoid COVID-19 'salvage'

The Bahamas must urgently develop a COVID-19 “game plan” covering all potential scenarios to prevent its economic recovery from becoming a “salvage” operation, a chamber chief urged yesterday. Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president, t

Hutton: Abaco skills gap affecting quality of work

AS many construction jobs go unfilled in Abaco, a skills gap on the island has sometimes led to substandard construction work, according to Abaco Chamber of Commerce President Ken Hutton. He spoke on Saturday during a virtual job fair highlighting e

Abaco: 'Lockdown last thing we need'

Abaco was yesterday “holding its breath” over COVID-19’s arrival, with the island’s Chamber of Commerce president warning: “The last thing we need right now is a lockdown.” Ken Hutton told Tribune Business that any new shutdown to halt the virus’ sp

Abaco: Back to ground zero

Abaco's Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said the island's post-Dorian recovery has been plunged "back to ground zero" by the COVID-19 crisis, adding: "We're on our own again."

Collision course on South Abaco project

The government is heading for a confrontation with environmental activists after the prime minister last night confirmed it has approved a controversial $580m project for South Abaco.Dr Hubert Minnis, in his televised national address, said the devel

‘Unregulated construction’ alarm on Dorian revival

Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president is sounding the alarm over “all this unregulated construction going on” as the Hurricane Dorian rebuilding effort starts to ramp up on the island.

VAT services relief 'vital' to Dorian revival speed

Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday renewed his plea for the government to eliminate VAT on services in the Dorian-hit islands amid fears the tax will “just delay the rebuilding process”.Ken Hutton told Tribune Business that including ser

'Job half finished' over Dorian zone tax breaks

The Abaco Chamber of Commerce's president yesterday urged the Government to "revisit" its decision to keep VAT on services in the Dorian-hit islands, arguing it had left "the job half finished".

Dorian debris clear needs big 'ramp up'

Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday called for post-Dorian debris removal to be “ramped up significantly” given the huge obstacle it presents to the island’s reconstruction. Ken Hutton, pictured , told Tribune Business that the authoriti

Chamber chief: Baker's Bay lay-offs 'temporary'

REDUNDANCIES made at Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club are only temporary, insisted Abaco Chamber of Commerce president Ken Hutton, pictured, yesterday.Speaking to Tribune Business, Mr Hutton said there were no lay-offs at the club, only temporary redu

Business chief insists Abaco security must be restored before commerce can restart

Security is a primary concern for restarting commerce in Abaco and bringing in international cargo, the island’s Chamber of Commerce President Ken Hutton warned yesterday.Hutton told Tribune Business: “Inadequate security is a very big factor in us g

60% non-insurance 'huge factor' for Abaco's rebuild

The Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday warned that the 60 percent non-insurance rate will be a “huge factor” limiting the pace and extent of the island’s recovery.Ken Hutton told Tribune Business that the relatively low level of insuranc

Tax-free status for storm zones 'totally fantastic'

The prime minister’s designation of east Grand Bahama and Abaco as “Economic Recovery Zones” for three years was yesterday hailed by the private sector as “absolutely fantastic”.Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president, told Tribune Busi

Abaco Chamber eyes 'amazing opportunity' via Project Resurrect

The Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday hailed “an amazing opportunity to rebuild the entire island” following the “overwhelming” response to its Project Resurrect initiative. Speaking after the project’s Friday’s unveiling, Ken Hutton s

Chamber chair: Abaco will ‘bounce back’

ABACO’S economy will “bounce back” from the ravages of Hurricane Dorian the island’s Chamber of Commerce president said yesterday, telling Tribune Business: “Everything is completely flattened”.

"We can blame ourselves for airport's problems"

THE lack of accountability and management is at the heart of Abaco airport terminal’s woes, the Out Island Promotion Board’s president said yesterday, arguing: “We’re not maintenance conscious.”Dr Keenan Larry Carroll argued the issues at the $30m Le

Abaco airport 'sorely lacking' for tourism

Visitors to Abaco have endured “first and last impressions” that are “sorely lacking” due to the failure to properly maintain the island’s $30m airport, a private sector leader said yesterday. Ken Hutton, pictured , the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s p

Business slams 500% Customs burden rise

The government yesterday promised that Customs’ new system will “smooth out” after furious Abaco businesses blasted a “400-500 percent” increase in the goods clearance workload. Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president, estimated this

EIA findings crucial for $580m project

The Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president says the fate of the $580m mixed-use resort project proposed for the island’s south will be decided by the environmental impact findings.

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