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$150M TRUST URGED TO RESCUE HOUSING MARKET
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Government was yesterday urged to invest $100-$150 million into a Foreclosure Trust as a way to solve this nation's mortgage/housing crisis, a well-known businessman telling Tribune Business that the returns g
Chamber chief says 'space for third mobile operator'
The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce's chief executive believes "there is space for another mobile player", and is urging the Government to issue a third licence come 2019.
IDB: $13M 'RETROACTIVE' TO STOP ROADWORKS SHUTDOWN
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor An alarmed Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is providing $13 million in retroactive financing to prevent a "cash flow shortfall" from bringing the New Providence Road Improvement Project to a temporary halt,
Banks to ‘double’ VAT recovery.... to just 10%
The Bahamian banking industry is hopeful it might be able to recover ‘double’ the amount of Value-Added Tax (VAT) inputs than previously thought, as one institution yesterday revealed its total tax burden will increase by $6-$7 million in two years.
RENEWABLE ENERGY 'AMAZING CHANCE' FOR DIVERSIFICATION
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas has an "incredible opportunity" to diversify its economy by becoming a renewable energy exporter, a leading Caribbean expert yesterday saying it could emulate Israel's 92 per cent penetration rate if i
$500M REVENUE RISE NO FISCAL GAP BRIDGE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Government's annual fiscal deficit averaged more than $170 million during the 2002-2008 'economic boom' years despite an almost $500 million rise in revenues over that period, showing that reining in out-of-co
‘Breath of fresh air’: 150k cruise arrivals over Xmas
The Downtown Nassau Partnership’s (DNP) co-chair yesterday hailed the increase in cruise ship traffic as a “breath of fresh air” for business with close to 150,000 passenger arrivals forecast for Christmas week.
Caribbean hotel rivals beat Bahamas' 5% RevPAR rise
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamian hotel industry's 5 per cent revenue per room (RevPAR) increase for the first nine months in 2011 was overshadowed by greater rises in many Caribbean competitors, as an industry consultant yesterday to
Caribbean hotel rivals beat Bahamas' 5% RevPAR rise
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamian hotel industry's 5 per cent revenue per room (RevPAR) increase for the first nine months in 2011 was overshadowed by greater rises in many Caribbean competitors, as an industry consultant yesterday to
'Little chance' to lower high debt, bad loan levels
The Central Bank of the Bahamas has admitted the current economic climate provides "little opportunity" to reduce high consumer debt and loan delinquency levels, with only 'qualified borrowers' able to access credit.
Corporate redress regime upheld with $33m verdict
The Supreme Court has prevented the Bahamas being perceived as “a parochial, quirky jurisdiction” for international business through its recent ruling on a $33 million insolvency dispute, a former attorney general said yesterday.
Bahamas ranked in bottom three of finance centres
A FORMER Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) chairman yesterday said a report that ranked the Bahamas a lowly 75th out of 77 global financial centres would "not impact" this jurisdiction's core private wealth management client base, adding that he was "more worried" about G-20 driven regulatory initiatives.
Bahamas ranked in bottom three of finance centres
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A former Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) chairman yesterday said a report that ranked the Bahamas a lowly 75th out of 77 global financial centres would "not impact" this jurisdiction's core private wealth
FUND 'BELOW PAR' AFTER 50% VACANCY CUT FAILURE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas Property Fund's failure to cut the 20 per cent vacancy rate at its flagship Bahamas Financial Centre by half meant its 2011 performance fell "slightly below expectations", although last May's Bahamian
OECD attacks like ‘unofficial blacklisting’ of the Bahamas
A former finance minister says the recent OECD-inspired media onslaught against the Bahamas is akin to an “unofficial blacklisting” of its financial services industry, describing the situation as “a new form of international colonialism”.
Water Corp needs 'top up' to $20m subsidies
Water Corp needs 'top up' to $20m subsidies By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Water & Sewerage Corporation will "definitely need" an increase to the existing $20 million taxpayer subsidy allocated to it for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, its gene
2,000 homeowners 'non-performing'
2,000 homeowners 'non-performing' By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor An estimated 1,500-2,000 Bahamian homes have mortgage loans that are more than 90 days past due, the Clearing Banks Association (CBA) told Tribune Business yesterday, with the se
Trade deficit narrows 9.7%
The Bahamas experienced a 9.7 per cent drop in its trade deficit to $2.554 billion in 2013, largely due to an almost-$300 million fall in its import bill.
CIBC FirstCaribbean explores US listing
CIBC FirstCaribbean’s parent yesterday confirmed its subsidiary is exploring a US stock exchange listing, a move likely to stoke speculation of a Canadian bank withdrawal from the region.
BAHAMAS AT 'TOP OF PACK' ON WEALTH MANAGEMENT
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Revised legislation will leave the Bahamas "at the top of the pack" among Caribbean financial centres when it comes to private wealth management, the Attorney General told Tribune Business yesterday. Lauding amend
