‘Stark contrast’ to VAT
Insurance industry executives yesterday blasted the Government for “ploughing ahead” with a political agenda over National Health Insurance (NHI), and described the lack of consultation as a “stark contrast” to Value-Added Tax (VAT) implementation.
1,100 job loss ‘trade off’ for $100m taxes
Freeport’s economy could lose up to 1,100 jobs if the Government were to ‘trade off’ employment for $80-$100 million in extra revenue generated by allowing the city’s key tax breaks to expire.
Container Port in 20-30% share cut over tax breaks
The Freeport Container Port’s market share could be slashed by 20-30 per cent if the city’s expiring tax breaks are not renewed, with more than 60 per cent of existing cargo volumes put “at risk”.
NHI: Gov’t ‘won’t be held hostage’
A Cabinet minister yesterday pledged that the Government will “not be held hostage” over its National Health Insurance (NHI) implementation plans, after senior public sector doctors refused to sign-on as providers.
DevCO: Just 14 $250k-plus sales over 15 years
The Grand Bahama Development Company (DevCO) closed just 14 sales worth more than $250,000 over a 15-year period, leading to recommendations it be ‘incentivised’ via the imposition of real property taxes.
Public doctors’ NHI rejection ‘very significant’
Senior public sector doctors have sent “a very significant” message to the Government by refusing to support its National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, a well-known physician said yesterday.
Gov’t in fund for ‘catastrophic care’
A special fund will be established to cover ‘catastrophic care’ when the Government launches National Health Insurance’s (NHI) primary health care phase in April, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday.
‘We’re not giving our guys a chance’
The Government was yesterday urged to enforce the requirement for Bahamians to understudy foreign workers, amid ongoing controversy over the seemingly minimal local workforce at the $250 million British Colonial Hilton expansion
$4.5trn manager: ‘No bidding war for Port’
The world’s largest asset manager demanded that there be “no bidding war” as a condition for it to enter talks to purchase the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA).
Dealers chief’s 80% auto import slash
A leading dealer says he reduced new auto imports by 80 per cent during 2015’s fourth quarter, in a bid to align them with a market that has shrunk by more than one-third.
Babak sought ‘total GBPA sale control’
Two guardians for the late Sir Jack Hayward’s family trust were allegedly removed so Hannes Babak and Andre Feldman could gain complete control of talks to sell the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) to the world’s largest asset manager.
FNM deputy: Is BEC deal ‘bogged down’?
The Opposition’s deputy leader has urged the Government and PowerSecure to update the Bahamian people on the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) takeover process, and expressed fears that negotiations had “bogged down”.
Gov’t urged to address service charge ‘inequity’
The Government has been urged to address “the gross inequities” in Freeport’s service charges, an outspoken QC suggesting it was among the issues potentially being ignored in its Hawksbill Creek Agreement review.
Gov’t reclaims 60 farm land parcels
The Government last year reclaimed 60 parcels of agricultural land that were being improperly used, with some acting as locations for churches and other activities that violated lease agreements.
Fly Fishing Bills set for February House arrival
The Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources is hoping to table legislation that will regulate the fly fishing industry in Parliament by mid-February .
