VAT revenues hit $271m for first 5 months
The $271.1 million in gross Value-Added Tax (VAT) revenues collected during the first five months of the Government’s 2015-2016 fiscal year slashed its fiscal deficit by almost 50 per cent to $134.1 million.
IAN FERGUSON: How firms can give a great reception
People often say that first impressions are lasting impressions. Research further indicates that people know whether or not they want to do business with you within the first seven seconds of engagement. Think about how many stores you walked out of because of the first ‘vibe’ you felt, either from the employees or the facilities.
Insurance chairman backs CLICO probe
The Bahamas Insurance Association’s (BIA) chairman yesterday backed a public inquiry into CLICO (Bahamas) collapse, adding that the new regulatory framework for the sector is “quite robust”.
Integrate insurance reform into change
Insurance reform must be part of this nation’s wider healthcare initiatives, the Bahamas Insurance Association’s (BIA) chairman said yesterday.
Post Office a ‘breeding ground for impropriety’
The Auditor General has warned of an “alarming amount of alleged theft” at the Post Office, with at least one of its practices branded “a breeding ground for improprieties”.
‘Wonderful compromise’ over Business Licences
The Government’s decision to push the Business Licence return filing deadline back two months was yesterday hailed as “a wonderful compromise” that will relieve the stress on both the private sector and accountants, some of whom complained about “busting my behind” to hit January 31.
Gov’t seeks GBPA stake in tax break ‘trade off’
A 20-year extension of Freeport’s expiring investment incentives should only be granted if the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) owners both agree to sell and give the Government an equity stake in the company, the latter’s advisers have recommended.
Unions ‘with programme’ on BEC manager
The Bahamas Electricity Corporation’s (BEC) trade unions yesterday promised they were “with the programme”, as the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that the Government had given its approval for the signing of a five-year management contract with PowerSecure.
21-day permit, approval time urged for Freeport
The Government has been urged to improve Freeport’s competitiveness and ‘ease of doing business’ by introducing 21-day turnaround timelines for work permits and all business-related approvals.
Opposition deputy: Give Sarkis first opportunity
The Opposition’s deputy leader yesterday said Baha Mar’s original developer, Sarkis Izmirlian, should be given the first chance to revive the $3.5 billion project if he has a workable plan.
ART OF GRAPHIX: Font choices can be heavy lifting
Imagine hauling around heavy boxes of metal type, a different set for every typeface, and having to assemble your text letter in order to design a document. That seems a world away from our point-and-click, instant world of digital design.
Sponge revival in 17% sales growth
Bahamian spongers will enjoy an average annual sales growth of 17 per cent by the time a three-year project to revitalise the industry concludes, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report has revealed.
Gov’t faces ‘pre emptive strike’ over Freeport
The Government’s plans for Freeport were yesterday hit by “a pre-emptive strike”, with an outspoken QC now seeking Supreme Court declarations that its Business Licence regime and associated fees do not apply in the city until 2054.
Scotia loses battle over $100k ‘fraud claim’ funds
Scotiabank (Bahamas) has been ordered to pay a former expatriate worker interest on $100,000 worth of bank drafts, following a 17-year saga that involved fraud allegations and a police complaint.
Chamber awaiting Business Licence ‘pressure relief’
The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) yesterday said it was optimistic that the Government will shortly announce changes to its Business Licence processes and “relieve the pressure” many companies have faced.
