Legal challenge brewing on Baha Mar VAT break
A group of Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) licensees are “taking advice” on whether the Baha Mar ‘VAT exemption’ breaches the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, thereby giving them grounds to challenge it legally.
Port wants end to web shop ‘Wild West’ by March
The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is aiming to bring order to Freeport’s “Wild West web shop gambling show” by March 2017, its attorney has warned, with non-compliant operators facing legal action to shut their businesses down.
Consumer Commission challenge to Central Bank on fee regulation
The Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has contradicted the Central Bank over the regulation of commercial bank fees, arguing that it was “maybe time” that they be controlled.
Private sector ‘anxiety’ rising over five-fold property tax increases
Private sector “anxiety” is rising over property tax assessments that have in some cases increased almost five-fold, the Chamber’s chief executive has revealed, coupled with the reduced VAT payment ‘window’ and due Business Licence fees.
Web shop: Port does not ‘have leg to stand on’
A web shop operator’s attorney yesterday argued that the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) does not “have a leg to stand on”, as it bids to strike out a legal action to determine the sector’s regulator in Freeport.
Net 4,500 public service increase since May 2012
An estimated 2,500 persons in the public service stand to be regularised, according to Labour Minister Shane Gibson, with some workers having been kept in ‘temporary’ status for 23 years.
Political ‘punch lines’ no ‘quagmire’ escape
The Bahamas needs to see “tangible results” from Baha Mar and other major developments in the pipeline, the Chamber’s chairman again bemoaning the absence of detailed policy statements on how to rescue the country from the “quagmire” it is in.
Baha Mar’s hiring to start January 16
Baha Mar’s new owner will start the process to hire thousands of Bahamian workers next week Monday, as it targets April 21, 2017, for a first phase opening.
UBS House deal gives ‘concern’ on Govt’s SPV use
The FNM’s deputy leader has expressed fears that the Government is “not being fully transparent with the Bahamian people” over its debt liabilities, after its multi-million dollar UBS House acquisition finally closed.
Regulator rejects bank fee controls despite 43% rises
The Central Bank will likely disappoint many Bahamian consumers through its refusal to counter rising bank fees with price controls, despite increases as high as 43 per cent on “a significant number of services”.
Opposition ‘demeans their credibility’ over Baha Mar VAT break
The Opposition parties have “demeaned their credibility” by suggesting the Government has traded tax breaks for just “a couple of jobs” at Baha Mar, a well-known businessman saying: “We’ve seen this movie before.”
Baha Mar VAT ‘not miniscule’ for Bahamian families
The FNM’s deputy leader has slammed as an insult to “burdened” Bahamian families the Government’s suggestion that the Value-Added Tax (VAT) foregone on Baha Mar’s construction completion is “really miniscule”.
Apparel retailers hit by informal economy
The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) chief executive says the informal economy is creating a particular challenge for clothing and apparel retailers.
Union chief fears ‘distressing year’
A prominent trade union leader has predicted “a very distressing year” for the Bahamian labour movement, describing the Attorney General’s ‘nolle’ instruction to drop a case against top Sandals Royal Bahamian executives last year as a “cardinal sin”.
Baha Mar VAT free deal ‘not abnormal’
A former Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) president yesterday said the total VAT exemption granted to Baha Mar’s completion was “not abnormal”, and that the Government was correct to grant it given the present situation.
