Guest house owner denies Investment policy breach
THE expatriate owner of an Exuma guest house yesterday denied he was running a car rental business in contravention of the National Investment Policy, after such claims were reported to the Department of Immigration.
Investor: US real estate advisory ‘right on mark’
An American investor yesterday described his government’s real estate advisory on the Bahamas as “right on the mark”, adding; “People’s lives have been ruined.”
Baha Mar dismisses taxi ‘copycat’ claim
Baha Mar executives dimissed assertions by a taxi union leader that it was effectively copying his reform proposals for the industry, describing its plans as far more extensive.
Bahamas cannot let crime ‘tarnish brand’
Atlantis’s top executive yesterday warned that the Bahamas could not afford “anything that tarnishes the brand”, conceding that the US government’s latest crime report “certainly doesn’t help” the tourism industry.
‘Get rich quick’ minority giving Bahamas bad name
Top realtors yesterday admitted to concerns that a US Embassy advisory would negatively impact the industry, with the market paying for a minority of “get rich quick” schemes.
No decision on NHI financing
The Government has yet to decide how its National Health Insurance (NHI) plan will be financed, the Minister of Health yesterday admitting that while the scheme’s 2016 implementation was ambitious, “this is the right thing to do”.
Gov’t to regulate unmanned drones
The Minister of Transport and Aviation said yesterday that the Government is proposing legislation to govern the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the Bahamas.
BISX ‘takes step back’ on key growth plans
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) has had to “take a step back” on several key expansion plans, as it works to “bridge the gap” between its vision and market reality.
Last-ditch bid for ‘optional’ VAT pricing
The private sector is awaiting the Government’s formal response to its arguments in favour of Value-Added Tax (VAT) exclusive pricing, amid last-ditch hopes this can be made “optional”.
Broker in new battle with SEC
US federal regulators are embroiled in a new dispute with a former Bahamian broker/dealer and its principal - this time over the location where they should give their sworn testimony.
St Georges ‘resistant’ to Port Authority offer
The late Edward St George’s family are “very resistant” to selling their 50 per cent stake in the Grand Bahama Port Authority Group of Companies (GBPA), Tribune Business can reveal.
First VAT filings: ‘Huge discrepancies’ unlikely
The Tax Coalition’s chairman is not expecting “huge material discrepancies” between the private sector and the Government over the first Value-Added Tax (VAT) filings, although he acknowledged: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
Taxi industry modernisation to match tourism upgrades
Baha Mar’s aim in “raising the product and profile” of the taxi cab industry is to ensure it reflects the major tourism-related investments and upgrades in New Providence, a senior executive said yesterday.
‘Disappointed’ by Freeport Gov’t committee members
The Opposition’s deputy leader is upset that the Government team determining Freeport’s future will be led by non-Grand Bahamians, while warning: “It’s never good to negotiate with the proverbial gun at your head.”
Gov’t extends web shop bid deadline
The Government has extended the deadline for web shops to submit their licence bids by two-and-a-half weeks to March 10, with both sides yet to completely resolve their differences on how the sector’s taxes are to be calculated.
