FNM blasts fee rises for bank outsource
Opposition politicians yesterday questioned whether the Government’s decision to increase regulation and Business Licence fees for the commercial banking sector was driving the decision by Canadian-owned banks to increasingly outsource back office functions outside the Bahamas.
CIBC: ‘No choice’ but to cut 66 jobs
CIBC First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) yesterday confirmed plans to cut 66 jobs from its Bahamian workforce, revealing that those posts would be outsourced to Jamaica.
Airline mulls Cat Island stop over 'horrible runway'
Sky Bahamas yesterday warned it may soon suspend flights to Cat Island because of “horrible” runway conditions, its chief executive again accusing the Government of failing to support Bahamian-owned airlines.
Public meeting 'not anticipated' for all projects
The ex-minister responsible for driving the new Planning Act into law says a public meeting “is not anticipated” on every proposed development project seeking government approvals.
'Curve ball' halts airline tax solution
Commercial airlines have yet to resolve their issues with the Government’s new taxes after receiving a “curve ball” on how outstanding monies are to be dealt with, Tribune Business was told yesterday.
Governor to Gov't: Act quickly on web shop 'vulnerability'
The Central Bank’s governor last night effectively urged the Government to get a move on in addressing the “vulnerability” caused by unregulated web shop gaming, warning it threatened to undermine plans for a Bahamian Credit Bureau.
Bahamas aiming to grow 100,000 wedding visitors
The Bahamas is aiming to increase destination wedding visitors beyond the 100,000 this nation attracted in 2013.
Cable executive to head regional body
A senior Cable Bahamas executive has been appointed chairman of the Caribbean Cable Telecommunications Association (CCTA) at their annual meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Fiscal 'corner turned' if trend stays for 18 months
While “not time to break out the champagne yet”, a former finance minister said the Bahamas’ fiscal position will have “turned the corner” if it can be maintained for 18 months.
Bureau eyes five standards by 2015
THE Bahamas Bureau of Standards (BBS) should adopted “at least” five national standards by early 2015, a CARICOM executive said yesterday.
Realtor demands $220k over Davis & Co HQ sale
A well-known realtor has slammed several attorneys for “jerking me around” over his $220,000 commission for the sale of a prominent East Bay Street building, telling Tribune Business: “They’re treating me like a step child.”
Cable's $100m issue to slash debt costs
Cable Bahamas is aiming to slash interest costs by up to two percentage points via its $100 million preference share restructuring, revealing to Tribune Business yesterday that its Florida and local growth initiatives are “on plan”.
Ministry counters non-compliance on Business Licences
The Government has moved to alter the Business Licence fee process for companies whose financial year-end is not the same as the calendar year, in a bid to counter non-compliance and ease the path to quarterly payments by 2015.
Bahamas '20 years too late' with VAT
The Bahamas is “20 years too late” in implementing Value-Added Tax (VAT), a leading accountant believes, with successive governments deferring reform for fear it would cause defeat at the polls.
Ex-finance minister in diversification 'cringe'
A former finance minister says he “cringes” whenever economic diversification is discussed because this ignores the Bahamian reality and need to “extract more” from the tourism industry.
