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Waste, ‘political attitudes’, bar IMF’s hospital user fee plans
AN ex-health minister says “wastage”, combined with zero political appetite, means the IMF’s call for the imposition of hospital user fees on those “with greatest capacity to pay” is likely a non-starter.
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Gov’t set to refinance $2.4bn in six months
THE Government has to refinance almost $2.4bn in maturing debt during the six months to end-June 2024, it has been revealed, with its euro-denominated liabilities almost doubling in percentage terms.
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Deficit ‘on target’ despite beating full-year by $54m
The Government’s top finance official last night asserted that the fiscal deficit remains on target even though it exceeded the full-year target by $54.3m after just five months.
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Gov’t doubles social assistance to $14m
“Front-loaded” salary increases for public sector workers were the main driver behind the $36.4m year-over-increase in the Government’s first quarter fixed-cost spending, it was disclosed yesterday.
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Crime fears collapse $18m PI home sale
An $18m home sale in Paradise Island’s Ocean Club Estates collapsed yesterday after the buyer was spooked by The Bahamas’ crime woes, with a realtor warning: “We’re going to pay for that.”
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Mingoes rain down goals on Inter-Nassau FC blues
THE University of the Bahamas men’s soccer team started off very slow against Inter-Nassau FC Blues Sunday in Bahamas Football Association action at The Roscow A.L. Davies Field.
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Pintard: ‘Why did leading finance officials contradict each other?’
The Opposition’s leader yesterday challenged the Prime Minister to explain why The Bahamas’ two top finance officials “would openly contradict each other” over the Government’s recent $500m borrowing.
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IMF: Those with means pay more for health and water
THE Government can slash “unproductive spending” by $116.5m and, in so doing, boost key public services if Bahamians with means pay more for water and access to public healthcare.
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EDITORIAL: Do not turn a blind eye to those struggling
THERE is a problem that besets many in our nation that we sadly too often turn a blind eye to – the issue of homelessness.
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Bahamas cool over IMF interest rate rise nudge
THE Bahamas has reacted coolly to persistent nudging from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that it should raise short-term interest rates to narrow the gap with those in the US.
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Good start
ActivTrades
Strong big-tech balance sheets lifted Wall Street into positive territory at the end of last week. However, disappointment over the latest US labour market report limited gains.
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'No fear of contradiction' on Govt $500m loan use
The Ministry of Finance's top official last night denied that a recent $500m loan was used to pay-off a maturing government bond as the Opposition raised renewed concerns over the financing.
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'Decade of contraction' ends with $50m credit expansion
The Central Bank's governor yesterday revealed "a decade of steady contraction" in lending to the private sector was halted by 2023's $50.3m credit expansion although mortgage activity remained "subdued".
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Bahamas to grow 'in low 2% range' in '24
Improvements to workforce productivity and the ease of doing business are critical to boosting economic output with Bahamian GDP forecast to expand in "the low 2 percent range" in 2024.
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Albany chief faces ‘largest insider trading’ fine for decade at $50m
THE Bahamas-based billionaire who led Albany’s development will pay “the largest financial penalty for insider trading in a decade” at $50m after he yesterday pleaded guilty to perpetrating a securities fraud.
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8th annual cycling event eclipses $500K in fundraising for Exuma causes
The Tour de Turquoise, the charity cycling event that raises funds for vital causes in Exuma while boosting healthy living and community spirit, revealed today this weekend’s ride was the most successful in the event’s history, raising nearly $150,000 and pushing total donations since the event started past the half million-dollar mark.
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Opposition doubles down on ‘fiscal jeopardy’ claim
THE Opposition’s finance spokesman yesterday doubled down on assertions that “the Government’s fiscal projec- tions are in jeopardy” and need to be adjusted in next month’s mid-year Budget.
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‘No reason to panic yet’ on 91% deficit
THE Government’s top finance official yesterday assured he has “no reason to panic yet” over the early 2023-2024 fiscal deficit as VAT revenues for December exceeded the prior year by 16-17 percent.
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Gov’ts $131m deficit goal ‘already out the window’
The Government’s projected $131m deficit for the current fiscal year is “already out the window” given the performance for the first four months, a financial analyst asserted yesterday.
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GB entrepreneur to crowd fund entertainment centre
A Grand Bahama entrepreneur will formally announce his bid to crowd-fund the development of an entertainment centre on February 3.
