Bran: Bahamas ‘eye opener’ from cruise line’s Cuba switch
The DNA’s leader yesterday urged the Bahamas to “up its tourism game” as a result of Norwegian Cruise Line’s decision to divert 25 sailings to Cuba, warning: “If that’s not an eye opener, I don’t know what is.”
Ocean Club at ‘full pace’ for its re-opening
The One & Only Ocean Club invested “almost $30 million” in today’s re-opening, with the high-end resort set to hit “full pace” immediately via 85-90 per cent occupancies.
75% deficit growth ‘staggering’, argues governance reformer
The 75 per cent increase in the fiscal deficit for the four months to end-October 2016 shows “a staggering and alarming” absence of fiscal responsibility, a leading governance reform campaigner believes.
BFSB chief seeks ‘momentum’ from Japanese tax deal
The Bahamas Financial Services Board’s (BFSB) chief executive yesterday expressed hope that last week’s agreement with Japan had “created momentum” for this nation’s rapid compliance with new global tax standards.
Govt breaching global standard on union vote
The Government was warned three years ago that its supervision of trade union ballots breached international labour standards - an error it is now threatening to exacerbate with further legal changes.
Broker’s rescue questioned over $1.8m deficiency
The Securities Commission is questioning whether last-ditch efforts to rescue a Bahamian broker/dealer, which has admitted to misusing client monies, are “bona fide” given its $1.862 million solvency deficiency.
‘Even less hopeful’ NHI will safeguard taxpayers
A well-known physician says he is now “even less confident” that National Health Insurance (NHI) will be able to protect taxpayers and patient confidentiality, while expressing concerns about the quality of care that will be offered.
Loretta: CCA deal may compromise Bahamian project
The Opposition’s House leader has expressed concern that the Government’s agreement with China Construction America (CCA) may have compromised a Bahamian developer’s proposed project for Lighthouse Beach.
Abaco Club’s Heads signed three months after legal challenge
The Abaco Club’s principals have described the timing of the project’s Heads of Agreement signing - some three months after a legal challenge was launched against its Little Harbour marina project - as “coincidental”.
Union president slams ‘draconian measures’ offered by employers
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) president hasslammed the “draconian measures” proposed by Bahamian employers to penalise trade unions if they fail to file annual returns or become insolvent.
Unions ‘must cease’ if insolvent, no returns
The private sector is demanding that labour laws be reformed so that Bahamian trade unions “cease to exist” if they fail to file annual returns, with their registration also cancelled if they become insolvent.
Collapsed company suffers reversal in 13-year BTC fight
The Court of Appeal this week overturned permission granted to a niche telecoms provider to amend its claim against the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), whose “misfeasance in a public office” allegedly caused its collapse.
‘Hold Hutchison’s feet to the fire’, Govt told
Struggling retailers in the Port Lucaya area are demanding that the Government “hold Hutchison Whampoa’s feet to the fire” and claw back the 20-year extension of its tax breaks, should it fail to co-operate in solving Grand Bahama’s economic woes.
Aliv ‘credibility’ boost as roll-out targets hit
The Bahamas’ second mobile operator yesterday received a “credibility” boost from regulators confirming it had met its first network roll-out targets, and disclosed it was ahead of schedule in bring service to Abaco, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera.
Boat thefts decline 24% year-on-year
Boat thefts in the Bahamas dropped nearly 24 per cent year-over-year in 2016, according to police statistics, with the Association of Bahamas Marinas being credited for putting a “big dent” in the crime.
