BIA says 'major concerns' remain over NHI
BAHAMAS Insurance Association (BIA) chairman Emmanuel Komolafe said yesterday that although the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill tabled in the House of Assembly on Wednesday appears to have incorporated some stakeholders’ recommendations, “major concerns” remain.
Chamber chief calls for Civil Service to be cut
IN order to avoid a further weakening in the economy and to mitigate the possibility of overspending and provide greater transparency, the Government should “move with haste” to enact fiscal rules which, by law, will cap spending over the immediate to long term, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president has urged.
Minister’s power reduced in smaller NHI board
THE revised National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill tabled in Parliament on Wednesday appears to reduce some of the powers of the Minister proposed under the draft Bill, most notably cutting the number of people to be appointed to the Authority’s Board.
No NHI tax 'at the outset' says Gomez
HEALTH Minister Dr Perry Gomez yesterday affirmed that there is no significant introduction of taxes directly related to National Health Insurance (NHI) implementation “at the outset”, citing the single governance model as fundamental to the health care industry’s reformation and a smooth NHI implementation.
PM proposes new tax concessions approach for Grand Bahama
TAX concessions when used properly should be an inducement to encourage private sector investment, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday, noting the extended Hawksbill Creek Agreement (HCA) concessions will encourage and facilitate further development and employment on Grand Bahama.
Union has legal backing for Melia negotiations
BAHAMAS Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) president Nicole Martin yesterday expressed confidence that the union was in a more firm legal position to proceed with negotiations with the Melia Nassau Beach Resort having secured a long-awaited certificate of recognition, describing it as “one of many steps” to be taken to ensure proper representation for the all-inclusive resort’s employees.
Revisit Gaming Act to protect banking sector says Chamber chief
THE Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday asserted that the Gaming Act 2014 should be revisited and, if necessary, amended to ensure that the sector does not imperil the country’s already fragile banking sector.
QC: Judgement in email leak “saves financial industry” in Bahamas
AN outspoken QC said that yesterday’s Supreme Court judgement against Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald for breaching the constitutional rights of environmental advocacy group Save The Bays by disclosing and releasing the group’s private emails in Parliament affirmed that the Bahamas is “not a political banana republic”, asserting that it would have been the “kiss of death” for the country’s financial services industry had the judge vindicated the minister’s actions.
Smith “not about to lay down” in BREA battle
AN ex-Cabinet Minister said yesterday that he was “not about to lay down and play docile” amid an ongoing legal battle with the Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA), with a judicial review looming in the next round of the contentious dispute.
IDB report reveals Chinese tourism opportunity for Caribbean
CHINA represents a new “source market” for tourism-dependent economies like the Bahamas, with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) suggesting that many changes and investments would have to be made to capture more of this market.
Christie has “obligation to deliver” on Baha Mar
OPPOSITION Finance spokesman K Peter Turnquest said yesterday that Prime Minister Perry Christie has “an obligation to deliver” on the Baha Mar project completion having thrust the government into the saga via its push for liquidation, arguing that the Bahamian people should not be left in the dark regarding any developments surrounding the stalled resort.
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Whistleblower challenges CIBC evidence ‘credibility’
A Cacique award winner’s bid to avoid financial ruin may receive late help from a former Cabinet Minister, after ‘whistleblower’ evidence cited “inconsistencies” with CIBC FirstCaribbean’s case.
Consumers ‘totally naked’ against banking practices
A former Cabinet Minister believes Bahamians are “completely naked” against sharp banking practices, adding that the problem had become “endemic”.
TUC takes Sandals to court over long-delayed industrial deal
PRESIDENT of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Obie Ferguson said that the union had been left with “no other alternative” but to file criminal charges against Sandals Royal Bahamian and its top executives for failing to negotiate an industrial agreement since 2009, a move prompted by the recent termination of union officers employed at the Cable Beach all-inclusive property.
