Attorney renews calls for Bahamas drone regulation
A Bahamian aviation attorney has renewed his call urging Bahamian authorities to regulate or, at a minimum, implement guidelines for operators of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
AG’s Office: We bungled Blackbeard’s Cay appeal
The Attorney General’s Office has admitted that the Government’s appeal over the $8 million Blackbeard’s Cay project was thrown out because it was asleep on the job.
Hotel union on gratuity ‘red alert’
The Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) yesterday said it had placed its members on ‘red alert’, amid fears that other New Providence hotels will attempt to follow Baha Mar’s lead and eliminate the 15 per cent gratuity enjoyed by hotel employees.
Baha Mar: No gratuity deal in 10 months
Baha Mar yesterday said it had been forced to cease the normal 15 per cent gratuity payments at the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort, after 10 months of negotiations failed to reach an agreement with the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) on a new arrangement.
VAT guidance notes undermine core financial sector policy
The Government’s “inconsistent” Value-Added Tax (VAT) positions are threatening to undermine core financial services policy objectives, a top QC warned yesterday, threatening a loss of competitiveness and high-value business.
QC: VAT rejected if no ‘value for money’
The Bahamian people will not accept Value-Added Tax (VAT) unless the Government convinces them they will receive “value for money” in return, a top QC warned yesterday.
5,000 companies signed up for VAT
EARLY registrants for the new value added tax system have surpassed the government’s expectations with nearly 5,000 companies already on board, according to State Minister for Finance Michael Halkitis.
CIBC: Bahamas worst for ‘bad’ mortgages
CIBC’s top Caribbean executive yesterday revealed that the “magnitude” of non-performing home loans in the Bahamas was “greater than anywhere else” in the region, this nation accounting for 50 per cent of the bank’s ‘bad’ mortgages.
CIBC:‘No plans’ for further terminations
CIBC’s top Caribbean executive yesterday said the bank had “no plans” for any further major outsourcing of jobs from the Bahamas, emphasising it was targeting the retail and private wealth management segments for growth.
QC: Port requires ‘economic Viagra’
An outspoken QC yesterday urged the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) to “take a shot of Economic Viagra”, arguing that it had become a mere “collection agency” as opposed to a quasi-governmental developer.
Deloitte to collect $100m in ‘bad’ BOB commercial loans
The Government yesterday confirmed Tribune Business’s disclosure earlier this week that Deloitte & Touche has been selected as the accounting firm charged with collecting on $100 worth of ‘bad’ commercial loans formerly belonging to Bank of the Bahamas.
Ryan’s employer: Financial sector’s ‘great opportunity’
Ryan Pinder’s new employer believes the Bahamas has “a tremendous opportunity” in financial services if it is innovative, with its current recruitment drive intended to position the institution “for the next 20 years”.
PM says: ‘Make best of bad situation’ on VAT
A “very conciliatory” Prime Minister Perry Christie has urged the private sector to “make the most of a bad situation” on Value-Added Tax (VAT) and its implementation, Tribune Business can reveal.
Atlantis’s 4.5% Xmas rate rise beats hotel norm
Atlantis has seen a “quite substantial” 4.5 per cent year-over-year increase in average daily room rates (ADRs) for the upcoming peak Christmas/New Year season, a growth rate exceeding industry norms.
Cable slams ‘ill-timed’ INternet, TV price caps
Cable Bahamas warned regulators that their decision to impose price caps on its pay-TV and Internet services would be “ill-timed, intrusive and disproportionate”, arguing that these controls were unnecessary due to emerging competition.
