Mobile bid terms are ‘too onerous’
Digicel’s pull-out yesterday prompted a Bahamian-led group to admit it decided not to bid on the second mobile licence because several conditions set by the Government were “too onerous”.
Gov’t confident Power Secure to ‘make major difference’ for BEC
The Government is confident Power Secure International will “make a big difference” at the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), after finally informing the latter’s staff yesterday that the search for a management partner has ended.
Full-blown NHI ‘10 years away’
A BISX-listed insurer yesterday said newly-appointed consultants had given it “a glimmer of hope” that the Government would not proceed with the comprehensive National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme that threatens to “eliminate” the industry.
No VAT prosecutions, as quarterly filers hit over 80% compliance
The Government has yet to bring any prosecutions against delinquent Value-Added Tax (VAT) payers, while confirming last night that more than 80 per cent of quarterly filers had met the April 28 deadline for their first returns.
Union joy over Digicel pull-out
The union leader representing Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) line staff yesterday expressed joy at Digicel’s decision to pull out of the second mobile licence bidding, describing the company as “not worker friendly”.
Translating sports class into work
This weekend brings another level of excitement to the islands of the Bahamas as we host the IAAF World Relays 2015.
Landfill operator eyes tight ‘break even’ goal
Renew Bahamas yesterday said it will have to export 10-12 containers of recycled materials daily from the New Providence landfill to “break even” and recoup its $8 million investment.
Digicel pulls out of mobile bidding
Digicel was last night said to have pulled out of the bidding for this nation’s second cellular licence, leaving just Cable Bahamas and Virgin Mobile (Bahamas) vying to become the first competitor to the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC).
Gov’t ‘terrified’ to act over gasoline leak
A well-known QC yesterday said the Government was “terrified to act on its powers” over the Robinson Road gasoline leak because that would mean taking on a multinational oil industry player with deep pockets.
VAT pace beating Gov’t revenue target by 20%
A Cabinet minister yesterday said the Government was on course to beat its full-year Value-Added Tax (VAT) revenue target by around 20 per cent if present trends hold, with an “average” $28 million being collected per month.
BISX predicts record listings year for 2015
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) yesterday predicted that 2015 will be its “best year ever” for new listings, having taken less than four months to match last year’s total.
Gov’t possesses ‘last piece of VAT puzzle’
The first-ever Value-Added Tax (VAT) quarterly filings are “the last piece of the puzzle” for the Government in determining whether it will meet annual revenue projections for its new tax, a top official believes.
Gov’t in ‘market read’ for $250m paper issue
The Government and its advisors are trying to gauge capital market appetite for up to $250 million worth of short-term securities, which they intend to start issuing in July-August 2015.
Tax Coalition chief: ‘Fantastic’ if 85% VAT compliance
The Tax Coalition’s chairman yesterday said it would be “fantastic” if quarterly Value-Added Tax (VAT) filers achieved an 85 per cent compliance rate first-time, although he expected many to seek extensions to the April 28 deadline.
Port ‘revving up’ for $563k revenue boost
The Nassau Container Port is eyeing a $563,000 annual top-line boost after a two-year effort succeeded in bringing 90 per cent of auto-carrying vessels to its docks.
