NHI public insurer deal ‘in coming days’
The contract to manage the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme’s public insurer could be concluded “in the coming days”, its project manager yesterday saying doctors will temporarily be paid directly via the NHI Authority.
Govt puts Bahamas ‘at tremendous risk’
The FNM’s deputy leader yesterday accused the Government of treating the Public Treasury as “a bottomless pit” through its pre-election spending commitments, warning that it had placed the Bahamas “at tremendous risk”.
Freeport utilities regulation dispute ‘back at forefront’
The long-running dispute over who has regulatory authority for Freeport’s utilities is “coming to the forefront” again, URCA’s chief executive yesterday hoping negotiation will resolve differences with Cable Bahamas and GB Power Company.
‘Ball in Bahamas court’ over tax exchange pledges
“The ball is in the Bahamas’ court” to meet its automatic tax information exchange commitments, a senior industry executive yesterday saying there is “no alarm” about this nation having to alter its approach.
Bahamas ‘may need’ vacation rentals tax
The Minister of Tourism yesterday said the Bahamas has to keep a “close eye” on the booming Airbnb vacation rental market, suggesting the Government may have to levy a room tax on it to maintain a ‘level’ playing field’ with the hotel industry.
Revived provider targets ‘100-plus’ staff in next year
A rejuvenated Bahamian communications provider yesterday said it plans to expand its workforce to 100-plus persons over the year, and invest $3 million in completing its network roll-out.
How to combat IT’s ‘weapon of choice’
Deloitte’s Shavonne Smith warns that even the most innocuous actions can expose companies to cybercriminals . . .
URCA mandates 15-year renewable payback clarity
Regulators have mandated that Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) alter its renewable energy interconnection agreement to give homeowners certainty of a 15-year payback, and make it clear that ‘fuel charge’ compensation is only temporary.
Bahamas ‘one foot off the fiscal cliff’
A governance reform campaigner yesterday urged all political parties to be mindful of the Bahamas’ fiscal situation when making pre-election promises, arguing that none were “worth voting for” if they did not promise a Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Central Bank intensifies ‘spending control’ calls
The Central Bank yesterday intensified its call for “sustained controls” on government spending, after the fiscal deficit widened by a further $20 million in January to hit $295.3 million.
Web shop slams GBPA taxation as ‘extortionate’
A web shop chain yesterday blasted its rivals for remaining “impotent” in the battle over who has regulatory responsibility for the industry in Freeport, while also slamming the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) “extortionate taxation” demands.
Tourism ‘weakens’ as LPIA traffic off 6.5%
The Central Bank believes Bahamian tourism industry performance in the 2017 first quarter “weakened” compared to last year, with passenger traffic at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) down 6.5 per cent.
Bahamas ‘exception’ to region’s tourism growth
The Bahamas has been branded “the notable exception” to the Caribbean’s tourism growth over the past two decades by an IMF paper, which found this nation is not among those most vulnerable to Cuba’s US opening-up.
‘Insulting’ for Baha Mar deal to spark landfill resolution
The FNM’s deputy leader yesterday said it is “insulting and embarrassing” that foreign investors have forced the Bahamas to finally move on resolving the New Providence landfill’s troubles.
Aliv targets 35% share by year-end
Aliv’s top executive said yesterday that the new mobile operator is targeting a 25-35 per cent market share by year-end, when it expectd to complete its network roll-out well ahead of its schedule obligations.
