Gov't 'won't sit idle' on labour skills gap
By NATARIO McKENZIE
Chamber: NHI costs 'a major concern'
THE Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) is finalising the formation of a committee to review the Government’s National Health Insurance (NHI) proposals, its chief executive agreeing that implementation costs were a major concern.
$500m healthcare 'infusion' via infrastructure privatise
The Government could encourage more than $500 million in new investment by privatising the Bahamas’ healthcare infrastructure, a well-known physician arguing this model would remove “a noose around its fiscal neck”.
Gov't to reconfigure Bank of Bahamas Board
The Government is moving to reconfigure the Board of BISX-listed Bank of the Bahamas International, whose annual general meeting (AGM) has been delayed by the wait for directors to be named.
Bahamas healthcare costs 'considerably higher' than region
Bahamian healthcare costs are “considerably higher” than those for other Caribbean nations, the Tax Coalition’s co-chair describing whether the economy could absorb National Health Insurance (NHI) on top of VAT as “a big question”.
Debt collector sees 40% business growth
A leading debt collection agency experienced a 30-40 per cent business increase in 2013, with its principal expressing concern over the “integrity and experience” of newly-established rivals.
Wilson succeeds Sir Albert as FOCOL chair
Businessman Franklyn Wilson has been elected as chairman of BISX-listed Focol Holdings (FOCOL) and reappointed as a director – a post he has held for 31 years.
Gov't to examine 'casual' workers
The Employment Act makes no distinction between full-time and casual workers, the director of labour calling on companies not to discriminate in how they are treated.
'Lacklustre' tourism in 3% room revenue fall-off
Tourism suffered a “lacklustre” performance in February with total room revenues off 2.8 per cent, the Central Bank of the Bahamas attributing part of the decline to weather-related cancellations.
QC slams '99%' cruise tourism benefit exclusion
Some “99 per cent” of Bahamian businesses are being excluded from cruise tourism’s benefits by the exclusive arrangements the lines reach with favoured onshore providers, a well-known QC is arguing.
Cable Beach developer eyes $70m sales goal
The Balmoral’s principal yesterday said he anticipated earning $65-$70 million in total sales revenues from his new luxury condominium project, having sold 28 per cent of available units prior to its launch.
Casual work spread threatens employees with 'dire straits'
A trade union leader yesterday described the spread of part-time, casual work as “a major concern’, warning that it threatened to both leave Bahamians “in dire straits” and completely change the industrial relations landscape.
Revenue improvement gives 'more leeway' over fiscal reform
A key Ministry of Finance adviser yesterday said the Government’s improved fiscal performance may provide “more leeway” on the timing and extent of tax reform, with revenues running ahead of last year’s figures for the past three-four months.
UBS refused Privy Council appeal on $34.2m debt claim
UBS (Bahamas) has seen its bid to appeal the reinstatement of a $34.2 million claim linked to Bernard Madoff’s infamous ‘Ponzi’ scheme to the Privy Council rejected by the Court of Appeal.
VAT set to reduce tax fraud cases
The Government is confident that adopting Value-Added Tax (VAT) will lead to a significant reduction in cases of tax fraud, a legal expert in the Ministry of Finance affirmed.
