Rate increases no answer to BPL woe
A “quick dash” of rate increases will not fix the longstanding issues plaguing the Bahamas’ energy monopoly, a former Chamber of Commerce chairman said yesterday.
Ex-Chamber chief says Budget ‘prudent, sober’
The Government appears to have presented a “prudent, sober” pre-election Budget, a former Chamber of Commerce president said yesterday, adding that it had given a “welcome kick-start” to fiscal consolidation by resisting the temptation to over-spend.
Union chief calls for end of Shell West fuel deal
BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) President Paul Maynard has blasted what he called “protectionism and special interests” while urging Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) to effectively ‘bypass’ its current supplier, Shell West, and purchase its fuel directly from the United States.
NHI could unlock a ‘multi-billion’ health care industry
IF PROPERLY structured, National Health Insurance (NHI) could could transform the Bahamian healthcare system into a ‘multi-billion’ industry, the head of a Bahamas-based pharmaceutical and medical equipment supplier said yesterday, telling Tribune Business that improving efficiencies and access to care are key to implementation of the scheme.
Tourism sector showed ‘signs of softness’ in early 2016 says Central Bank
THE Bahamas’s tourism sector showed “signs of softness” over the first quarter of 2016 the Central Bank has revealed, with total room revenue falling approximately five per cent over the previous year.
Chamber chief says need to develop SMEs is ‘critical’
THE BAHAMAS must find ways to promote and develop the small and medium-sized business sector to help grow its economy according to a top private sector representative, who described such initiatives yesterday as “critical”.
Chamber chief questions BPL’s plan of action after outage
THE PRIVATE sector is hopeful that Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) will “sooner rather than later” remedy long standing issues such as power blackouts, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) chief executive said yesterday in the wake of Sunday’s New Providence-wide power outage.
TUC leader says unions disappointed over deal delays
A WELL-KNOWN trade union leader yesterday said that he was “extremely disappointed” with the way the Government has dealt with trade unions in the country, telling Tribune Business that unions are being frustrated by five to 10 year industrial agreement delays.
Govt stance on tax breaks ‘perplexing’ says Lowe
A NOTED ‘fiscal hawk’ yesterday questioned the Government’s decision to provide tax breaks to some industries to while not giving similar treatment to others that could also benefit, describing it as “a bit perplexing”.
Well-known consultant urges ‘national definition’ for SMEs
THE GOVERNMENT and the private sector were yesterday urged to develop a national definition for small and medium sized businesses, a well-known consultant telling Tribune Business that he was “pivoting” his consultancy to the international area.
Sands: PM ‘too short’ on NHI specifics
A well-known physician said yesterday that Prime Minister Perry Christie’s 2016/2017 budget communication has given very little comfort that his administration would effectively “get the job done” with National Health Insurance (NHI), arguing that the Prime Minister’s communication was “too short” on specifics for the highly touted healthcare initiative.
Tax breaks on derelict properties ‘big deal’ says real estate chief
A former Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) president yesterday praised the government for its decision to effectively offer an incentive to owners of derelict buildings in New Providence who intend to either demolish or renovate them, telling this newspaper: “That’s a big deal”.
Chamber Chief: Business licence management offer ‘still on the table’
Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) chief executive Edison Sumner said that the chamber’s proposal to assume responsibility for the management of the business licences register was “still on the table”, adding that the private sector representative was still seeking to have the Government review the entire business licence fee structure.
NTA director fires back over $22m apprenticeship programme criticism
The National Training Agency’s (NTA) has shot down Opposition criticism that the Christie administration’s revamped $22m apprenticeship program is merely a retread of the Ingraham administration’s 52-week jobs programme, telling Tribune Business: “We have raised the standard.”
DNA: PLP mortgage relief plan needs more
The PLP’s proposed Mortgage Relief Programme Needs More!
