Primary concerns remain for Chamber over NHI financing
THE Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employer’s Confederation (BCCEC) said yesterday that it is “disappointing” that the revised National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill was tabled without feedback from key stakeholders, adding that the financing strategy for NHI remains one of the organisation’s “primary” concerns.
Solomon’s and Carl’s Jr stores for Yamacraw
AML Foods Limited, one of the country’s largest grocers, announced yesterday it has acquired a five-acre tract of land on Yamacraw Hill Road for $3 million and will develop it into a new 38,000 square-foot Solomon’s branded store in eastern New Providence.
Turnquest slams “investment killing bill”
OPPOSITION deputy leader and East Grand Bahama MP K Peter Turnquest yesterday slammed the Grand Bahama (Port Area) Investment Incentives Bill 2016 as an “investment killing bill”, arguing that it would not bring about the the investment needed on the island.
BPL receives first URCA power supplier licence
THE Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) has announced that it has issued the first Public Electricity Supplier Licence to Bahamas Power & Light (BPL).
BIA chief: Health regulators must have clear responsibilities
BAHAMAS Insurance Association chairman Emmanuel Komolafe has stressed that it is “imperative” that the existing regulatory frameworks for the healthcare and insurance industries are leveraged so as to avoid overlapping responsibilities with the proposed National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Stellar sues over proposed $650m energy plant delays
STELLAR Waste To Energy Bahamas Ltd, the company proposing to build a $650 million waste-to-energy plant on New Providence, has launched a legal attack over its failure to obtain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and other associated documents which would enable the company to proceed with the project, according to court filings seen by Tribune Business.
Central Bank forecasts mildly positive growth
THE Bahamian economy will maintain its mildly positive growth path over the near term according to the Central Bank, which has noted that the fiscal sector outlook will continue to depend on the success of government measures to strengthen revenue collections and restrain expenditure growth.
Call for liberal immigration rules to revive Freeport
FREEPORT is ideally poised to promote itself as location for arbitration and alternative dispute resolution according to well-known QC Fred Smith, who argues further that a more liberal immigration policy could “catapult the Bahamas forward” and provide business opportunities across several sectors.
Scholar Books owner writes 'historic' new chapter with deal
A BAHAMIAN has created one of the largest book publication companies via a partnership with Michigan based Thomson-Shore, one of the biggest book manufacturers and distribution companies.
Komolafe queries 'vague' identity of NHI minister
CONCERNS remain over ministerial powers to unilaterally change the corporate governance framework of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) according to Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA) chairman Emmanuel Komolafe, who said that stakeholders are seeking a “robust” governance structure that reduces the possibility of perception of political interference or abuse of power in the management of the NHI scheme.
Southwest opens new route from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau
IF THE Bahamas intends to grow its tourism numbers it must cause for more connectivity with the Florida market, according to tourism minister Obie Wilchcombe who described this as the “low hanging fruit”.
Sandals accused of 'union busting' with threatened closure
TRADE Union Congress (TUC) president Obie Ferguson has accused Sandals Royal Bahamian of the “highest level of union busting”, blasting the the resort for its imminent abrupt closure, which he said was almost treasonous to the Bahamian people.
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.
