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DPM: Business Licence fee is ‘inherently unfair’

THE Government is examining how to adjust a Business Licence fee that the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday branded “inherently unfair” to firms with high turnover and low profit margins. K Peter Turnquest, who is also minister of finance, described as “misinformation” any suggestion that the Government has committed to the European Union (EU) that it will introduce a corporate tax or income tax. 

Economist backs spending cuts to end ‘major wastage’

A University of the Bahamas economist yesterday backed government spending cuts on the grounds there has been “a great deal of wastage”. Rupert Pinder, addressing a Rotary Club of West Nassau luncheon, said: “We cannot overemphasise the importance of economic growth. You can cut spending until the cows come home, but what is really going to put this economy on a strong footing is growth. I am a proponent for cuts in public spending because I think there has been a great deal of wastage.

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PM: ‘No time to rest on laurels’ over EU

THE Prime Minister yesterday said the Bahamas has “no time to rest on our laurels”, given the European Union’s (EU) concerns over the absence of corporate income taxation. Dr Hubert Minnis told the House of Assembly that the EU’s Code of Conduct group had written to the Government expressing concerns that this nation’s tax system did not comply with its ‘blacklisting’ criteria.

Nassau/PI resorts in New Year sell-out 

MAJOR Nassau/Paradise Island resorts are predicting traditionally strong occupancies over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period.

A Cabinet minister yesterday moved a parliamentary motion to create a select committee that will probe the the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) 2011 privatisation. 

A Cabinet minister yesterday moved a parliamentary motion to create a select committee that will probe the the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) 2011 privatisation. 

Tripartite Council ‘serves no purpose’

The Trade Union Congress’s (TUC) president has vowed to pursue the its grievance against Sandals Royal Bahamian’s termination of 600 employees to its “logical conclusion”, arguing that the Attorney General’s decision to nullify their case against the resort’s top executives had put workers in a ‘frightening” position.

Abaco’s airlift capacity up 9%

Abaco has attracted 47,000 stopover visitors year-to-date, a Ministry of Tourism official says, with the island’s airlift capacity for international arrivals increasing for the third straight year.

‘Much work’ ahead over business ease

The Bahamas has “a lot of work to do” before it sees a dramatic improvement in the ease of doing business, the Opposition’s finance spokesman said yesterday, adding: “There’s just too much government bureaucracy.”

‘Nothing to celebrate’ on $99m borrowing

The Opposition yesterday argued there was “nothing to celebrate” in the Christie administration’s revelation that it is only borrowing $99 million to fund the 2016-2017 fiscal deficit, its finance spokesman saying it had over-burdened Bahamians with taxes to achieve this.

FNM deputy questions Mortgage Relief ‘sense’

The Christie administration’s revised Mortgage Relief Plan does not make much sense “on the face of it”, according to the Opposition’s finance spokesman, who questioned what return the Government would get for its $20 million ‘investment’.

Web shop gains 'stay' on closure

The only web shop operator to be denied a licence has obtained a stay of the Supreme Court decision that effectively paved the way for its closure two weeks ago.

Two-destination Cuba travel 'bit of a stretch'

A 'two-destination' travel arrangement that would see visitors to Cuba also travel to the Bahamas could be a “bit of a stretch”, the FNM's deputy leader believes.

Bahamas must get balanced tourism

The Bahamas must ensure it strikes the right balance between its cruise and stop-over business, the FNM's deputy leader reiterating that it provide a competitive and unique product.

Union leader calls for Productivity Council

A leading trade unionist has called for the creation of a tripartite National Productivity Council, arguing that the Bahamian education was “designed for students to fail”.

FNM deputy queries quality of Baha Mar building materials

The Opposition’s deputy leader yesterday expressed concern over Baha Mar slamming China State Construction, the lead contractor for its $3.5 billion development, and questioned whether there were material quality issues as well.

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$10m Port IPO hits the road

The roadshow for Arawak Cay Port Development's (APD) $10 million initial public offering (IPO), which kicked off last week, has received significant public interest, the company says. APD began the meetings at the Harry C Moore Library in Nassau, and the

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GOVT LIKELY TO SELL 40% PORT EQUITY STAKE

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham yesterday said he expects the Government to eventually sell its 40 per cent stake in Arawak Cay Port Development Company (APD), allowing the Nassau Co

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'LOT OF ABUSE' IN WELFARE SYSTEM

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net The Bahamas' social security system has been subjected to "a lot of abuse", the minister responsible has admitted, acknowledging that welfare assistance was not always being given t

BAHAMAS 'PUNCHING WELL ABOVE WEIGHT' IN SHIPPING

By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas "punches well above its weight" in the global maritime industry, the Bahamas Maritime Authority's (BMA) chairman saying yesterday that through its involvement with the I

$10m Port IPO hits the road

The roadshow for Arawak Cay Port Development's (APD) $10 million initial public offering (IPO), which kicked off last week, has received significant public interest, the company says. APD began the meetings at the Harry C Moore Library in Nassau, and the