‘Dock tax’ crackdown on gated communities
The Port Department yesterday confirmed it is cracking down on fees owed by private/residential dock owners in New Providence’s gated communities, and issuing warnings of site visits to inspect “unregistered” facilities.
Farming chair: ‘I feel like throwing in towel’
The chairman of the newly-formed Farmers United Association (FUA) yesterday said he “feels like throwing in the towel” on agriculture, accusing the Government of neglecting the sector by focusing solely on BAMSI.
D’Aguilar: ‘Where has the $3bn gone?’
The Government has little to show for $3 billion of borrowing and increased tax revenues, an FNM candidate charged yesterday, describing as “egregious” its persistent failure to hit fiscal targets.
Next Govt urged: Break ‘constant borrowing mindset’
The Chamber of Commerce’s chairman yesterday urged the next Government to “break the mindset of constant borrowing” and enable the Bahamas to finally get a grip on its recurring fiscal deficits.
Labour reforms get ‘far greater balance’
The private sector was able to achieve “far greater balance” on the labour law reforms passed by the Senate yesterday, the Chamber’s chairman saying “all parties” had accepted its cost-related concerns.
Port Dept ‘clears up’ $5m in owed revenue
The Port Department has “cleared up” the nearly $5 million in outstanding revenues highlighted by an Auditor General’s report last November, its acting Controller yesterday welcoming a follow-up assessment.
BTC: Aliv taking ‘Liberty’ on name
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is demanding that its new mobile rival stop using its controlling shareholder’s name to brand one of its product suites, setting the stage for a bruising trademark lawsuit.
GB provides 65% of Matthew claims
Grand Bahama has accounted for almost two-thirds of the $409 million in gross Hurricane Matthew claims reported to the Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA) to-date.
Sands: Doctor, care quality ‘impossible’ if 70% NHI pay cut
A well-known physician says it is “going to be incredibly difficult, if not impossible” for Bahamian doctors to run quality medical practices with the 66-77 per cent compensation cuts proposed by the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme.
FNM deputy pledges repeal of Freeport’s investments regime
The FNM’s deputy leader yesterday pledged the party will repeal Freeport’s new investment regime if elected to government, amid continuing uncertainty over whether businesses should apply to receive continued tax exemptions.
‘Russian roulette’ fear over Freeport tax break sign-up
The Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) former attorney is “completely disassociating myself” from an advisory suggesting Freeport businesses apply for renewal of their tax breaks, with some arguing that to do so is akin to “playing Russian roulette”.
Baha Mar owner: April 21 ‘no sham’
Baha Mar’s new owner yesterday said it will not repeat the mistakes of previous developer, Sarkis Izmirlian, and reassured that its ‘soft opening’ on April 21 is “not a sham”.
CTFE confident casino concerns all addressed
Baha Mar new owner is confident it has addressed any concerns over its suitability for a gaming license, adding that its casino could rival those in Las Vegas or other global gaming destinations.
Newly-opened PI hotel ‘comes alive’
The Warwick Paradise Island resort expects occupancy levels will continue climbing following last week’s official opening, with executives telling this newspaper: “The hotel has come a long way”.
Road Traffic: Commercial vehicle month ‘good now’
The Road Traffic Department’s principal yesterday said it had finally gotten a handle on the massive licensing backlog caused by commercial vehicle month month falling in March.
