Chamber launches mentoring to improve 70% SME fail rate
THE Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) is hoping its pilot mentorship and training programme will improve entrepreneurs’ chances of success, given that 70 per cent of Bahamian small business ventures end in failure.
Gov't to unveil VAT regs with legislation
The Government is just a weeks away from putting out its draft Value-Added Tax (VAT) legislation, a Cabinet Minister yesterday disclosing that it was seeking to release the accompanying regulations at the same time.
THE ART OF GRAPHIX: Stepping into the Photoshop 'layer'
We are going to look at one of Photoshop’s most essential features.. layers.
VAT energy exemption likely for poor homes
The Government will likely structure its 15 per cent Value-Added Tax (VAT) to protect low income households and minimal energy users from its inclusion on electricity bills, a top Ministry of Finance official said yesterday.
Tourism chief confident on aviation tax solution
A senior Ministry of Tourism executive yesterday expressed optimism that all parties would be “able to work” through the commercial airline concerns over new and increased taxes, and reach “a position tenable to all”.
DIRECTV blasts Satellite Bahamas on signal piracy
There is “overwhelming evidence” that the Bahamas’ leading satellite TV provider defrauded DIRECTV by pirating its programming and equipment to service over 5,800 local accounts, court documents are alleging.
'Uniform investor disappointment' a Chamber concern
The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday described as “a matter of concern” a consultant’s report that international investors were “uniformly disappointed” with the performance of their Bahamian ventures.
Bahamas 'lags' world on hotel room rates
Bahamian resorts “could not wait any longer to raise rates” if they were to meet budget, the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) president yesterday explaining this is why 2013 occupancies are expected to be down year-over-year.
Balearia set to restart Bimini service in fall
THE Balèaria Bahamas Express has suspended its service between Bimini and South Florida after only four months, although a company executive yesterday confirmed to Tribune Business it would resume in the fall with a faster, more modern vessel.
AID sales increase 10% year-over-year
AUTOMOTIVE & Industrial Distributors (AID) has seen a 10 per cent year-over-year sales increase for 2013 to-date, a senior executive yesterday telling Tribune Business it hoped to open its new $7.5 million Wulff Road headquarters next month.
An outside solution to Freeport's plight
This note was prompted by Dionisio D’Aguilar’s speech, ‘The Freeport Model - Obsolete Relic or Untapped Opportunity’, delivered to the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce on 15 May, 2013.
Bran: 'Up' short-term work permit's cap
The Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader yesterday urged the Government to “up” its new short-term work visa policy to greater than two weeks, while commending it for “progressive” reform.
Florida spending 60% above 'healthy'
Bahamian spending on Florida shopping is at least 60 per cent higher than “healthy” for this economy, a retail entrepreneur yesterday warning that this was “killing jobs” and economic growth.
Retailer targets 'foremost in the Bahamas' status
A retail entrepreneur is aiming to become the “foremost” fashion and gift shop operator in the Bahamas, as she moves to a final decision on whether to make one format’s Blake Road “transition” permanent.
Balanced Budget would be 'noose around Gov't neck'
Making a ‘Balanced Budget’ a constitutional requirement would be akin to “putting a noose around your own neck” from a government perspective, a former finance minister said yesterday.
