Freeport promoted tocontact centre sector
THE Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) teamed up with a call centre operator to promote the island’s attractions for that sector at a recent conference.The GBPA paired with itelBPO Solutions (Island Outsourcers) for the ICMI Contact Centre Expo, rece
Sky chief backs domestic route exit by Bahamasair
A leading Bahamian airline executive says he would back Bahamasair’s ‘strategic’ exit from the domestic market, arguing: “You can’t spend more than you make”.“With Bahamasair, the goal was to go and build, open or expand markets, to get people to com
Exemptions to 'defeat the purpose' of VAT
THE private sector “is glad” the Government deferred its Value-Added Tax (VAT) campaign promises, as these would have “defeated the purpose” of the Bahamas’ chosen taxation model.Edison Sumner, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederat
Construction industry 'peers over horizon'
THE Bahamian construction industry is “waiting to see what’s on the horizon”, as activity slows down following the post-Hurricane Matthew construction and repair work.Leonard Sands, the the Bahamas Contractors Association’s (BCA) president, told Trib
Tax ‘Task Force’ eyed as Business License fees slashed 25% pts
The private sector yesterday expressed hope that the 25 basis point reduction in the Business License fee rate marked the start of broader talks on the “best form of taxation” in the Bahamas.
$500m deficit ‘threat to fiscal credibility’
The Government most move quickly to restore trust in its fiscal credibility, a governance reformer urged yesterday, pointing to the “vast, wild” differences between the new administration’s forecasts and those of its predecessor.
‘Days of largesse are over’: Govt to borrow $722m
The Minister of Finance said yesterday’s Budget will drive home to Bahamians that “the days of largesse are over”, with the Government having to borrow a collective $722 million to cover two years’ worth of fiscal deficits.
Minister ‘concerned’ on rating agency reaction
The Minister of Finance yesterday conceded he was concerned about how the credit rating agencies will react to a five-fold increase in the projected 2016-2017 deficit, plus $722 million in new government borrowing.
Govt ‘will do better’ than GDP forecasts
The Minister of Finance yesterday pledged that the Government “will do better” than the Bahamian GDP growth rates projected by the IMF, acknowledging that this nation’s economy had “not performed to the levels required”.
‘Considerable’ food price falls from duty reductions
Consumers should see the cost of various food and beverage items “go down considerably” after the Government yesterday outlined numerous duty reductions in the 2017-2018 Budget.
Fiscal woes delay VAT’s ‘breadbasket’ removal
The Minister of Finance yesterday admitted that the Government has been forced to delay removing Value-Added Tax (VAT) from ‘breadbasket’ items and certain services, as the country’s fiscal woes required a more conservative approach.
Opposition dismisses claim of fiscal ‘mismanagement’
The Opposition’s leader yesterday dismissed suggestions that the former Christie administration’s failure to hit its deficit targets was as a result of fiscal “mismanagement”.
Govt ‘unhappy’ at $323m borrowing
The Minister of Finance yesterday said the Government was “not happy” at having to borrow $323 million to cover the deficit for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, and urged Bahamians to “be patient a little longer” as it seeks to “get the fiscal house in order”.
THE ART OF GRAPHIX: The ‘vex-ing’ problem of digital art forms
Vexel art requires an in-depth assessment, especially on how to create it and why it is not vector art.
Timeline urged for Fiscal Responsibility legislation
The Government was yesterday urged to provide timelines and details on its “fantastic” promises to reform loss-making government enterprises and introduce a Fiscal Responsibility Act.
