Bran: Bahamians ‘stabbed in back’ by Baha Mar VAT
The Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader yesterday said Bahamian small businesses and consumers had been “stabbed in the back” by the total VAT exemption granted for Baha Mar’s construction completion.
Abaco guides fear ‘irreparable harm’ via new regulation
Concerns continued to mount yesterday over the new fly fishing regulations, with one Bahamas-based association arguing that many reforms were “unnecessary and counterproductive”, and would undermine the industry’s viability.
Super Value owner: Web shops ‘took 30% from us’ over Xmas
Super Value’s owner yesterday blamed web shops for “taking an average of 30 per cent” of the supermarket chain’s revenues, saying: “It’s devastating the economy.”
Baha Mar sale VAT is just a ‘deductible’
The payment of Value-Added Tax (VAT) on Baha Mar’s sale could just be “a cash flow timing issue” based on how the tax works, the Chamber of Commerce’s chairman said yesterday, suggesting it was currently impossible to evaluate the completion deal’s merits.
IAN FERGUSON: Making the change reality during 2017
At the start of each year, many people go into reflection mode and plan for a more productive season. As much as we all want greater returns on our input, we are still challenged in making the necessary changes required to realise those returns.
Bahamians warned over ‘ignorance’ on Baha Mar
The Chamber of Commerce’s chairman yesterday called for greater government transparency over when the various Baha Mar agreements will be released, as he warned Bahamians to guard against “ignorance” in the general election run-up.
Baha Mar finish 100% ‘VAT free’
The Government was yesterday urged to divulge “the full cost to the Bahamian people” of its Baha Mar agreement, after evidence emerged to show its construction completion is totally ‘VAT free’.
Landfill ‘chaos’ hurts waste disposal sector
Waste disposal companies were forced to offload garbage on their properties, the Chamber’s chief executive revealed yesterday, after the New Providence landfill cut opening hours and dramatically increased wait times over the peak Christmas period.
Fly fishing penalties ‘draconian, hostile’
The new fly fishing industry regulations’ penalties were yesterday described as “draconian, disproportionate and hostile”, with one high-end bonefishing lodge executive yesterday outlining several concerns over the reforms.
Loretta pledges Public Accounts probe into Baha Mar VAT break
The Opposition’s House of Assembly leader yesterday pledged to launch a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) investigation into revelations that Baha Mar’s construction completion is “fully exempt” from Value-Added Tax (VAT).
IDB: Bahamas skills gaps are ‘worrisome’
The Bahamas faces “worrisome” skills imbalances in the construction trades that are contributing to more than two-thirds of work permits being issued “for low skilled jobs”, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has warned.
Minnis makes Fiscal Responsibility pledge
The Free National Movement’s (FNM) leader last night pledged to implement a Fiscal Responsibility Act is his party is elected to office in the upcoming election, and enhance transparency and accountability in governance.
Minister defends $500m sector’s new regulations
The Bahamian fly fishing industry is said to be worth more than $500 million, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday, defending new industry regulations that call for a certified guide to accompany every two anglers.
‘Last bastion of defence’ for Bahamian ownership
A local investor group yesterday said it has partnered with the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s management union to form “the last bastion of defence” for Bahamian ownership and management of this nation’s utilities and national resources.
Top GB hotel won’t re-open until May 17
Staff at a major Freeport hotel have been told it will not re-open until May 17, the FNM’s deputy leader said yesterday, as he urged Grand Bahama’s top investor to “provide hope there will be an end to the suffering”.
