PM remarks seen as desire for GBPA ownership change
Freeport stakeholders were yesterday interpreting statements by Prime Minister Perry Christie as a clear indication the Government will use upcoming negotiations over the city’s expiring incentives as leverage to secure a Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) ownership change.
Properly valuing your work skills
There are many persons who, for various reasons, leave gainful employment and find themselves unemployed, under-employed or intentionally on a ‘work sabbatical’ for extended periods of time.
GB tourist acquisition costs slashed by 70%
A senior tourism executive yesterday said acquisition costs for stopover visitors to Grand Bahama were on pace to drop to 30 per cent of sales value by year’s end.
BISX listee’s chief loses SEC lawsuit dismissal bid
A BISX-listed firm’s chief executive, and its main broker/dealer subsidiary, yesterday lost their bid to dismiss a US federal regulator’s lawsuit against them over an alleged $400 million fraud.
Bahamas ‘unique’ for high private health coverage
The Bahamas is “unique” among countries looking to adopt a national health insurance scheme because private insurance penetration is relatively high, leading the Government’s consultants to recommend that the sector be incorporated into proposed reforms.
Bonded fuel auditing ‘completely illegal’ VAT reach expansion
The Government was yesterday accused of “a completely illegal expansion of the VAT Department’s jurisdiction” over plans to implement new systems for monitoring ‘bonded’ fuel sales in Freeport.
Small business reforms ‘vital to our existence’
The Bahamian “family unit” will continue to be undermined by this nation’s high small business failure rate, a well-known consultant warned yesterday, urging the Government to move rapidly on legislation designed to strengthen the sector.
‘No way’ Freeport can bear two sets of taxes
There is “no way” that Freeport businesses could pay two sets of taxes, a senior private sector executive yesterday urging the Government to “definitely” renew the city’s expiring investment incentives until 2054.
THE ART OF GRAPHIX: Putting a face on painting creativity
The name ‘Candy Clowns’ has created a sparkle in the eyes and heart of every child who is looking for the experience of a lifetime. This face painting business can be seen all over town at fairs, fun days, promotional events and parties.
Fraud examiners eye 2015 plans
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ (ACFE) Bahamas Chapter has held its first quarterly meeting and social for 2015
Global breaches increase bank’s $342k fraud loss
International fraud is increasingly hitting Bahamian banks and their customers, a Cabinet minister yesterday disclosing data breaches at major US retailers had cost one local institution $341,644 in its last financial year.
Legal changes ‘tighten’ Central Bank oversight
Amendments to the Banks and Trust Companies Regulations Act will “tighten” Central Bank oversight and bring this nation into full compliance with international banking’s best supervisory practices, the Minister of State for Finance said yesterday.
NHI to generate $157m savings within decade
The proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme will generate annual savings greater than $157 million within 10 years of implementation, the Government’s consultants promising it will stem the “alarming growth rate” in healthcare spending.
‘Big sigh of relief’ over Gov’t U-turn
Freeport’s private sector was yesterday breathing “a huge sigh of relief” after the Government abandoned plans to levy Value-Added Tax (VAT) on ‘bonded’ fuel sales.
Cable: URCA regulations ‘impede’ mobile roll-out
Cable Bahamas has warned that the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) own infrastructure sharing regulations will prevent the winning mobile bidder from meeting the Government’s “ambitious” network roll-out targets.
