Village Road: ‘Don’t drag out’ relief for roadworks
Village Road businesses are urging the Government to “not drag out” the provision of tax breaks and other financial compensation for their roadworks “nightmare” with some firms preparing individual damages claims.
Gov’t generates $6m surplus for January
The Government generated a modest $6m Budget surplus during January 2023, which enabled it to enjoy a rare month when its direct debt actually shrank albeit only by $8.5m.
Only margin increase will ‘get us over the finish line’
Bahamian petroleum retailers yesterday reiterated that a margin increase is “definitely what’s needed to get us over the finish line” as they voiced optimism that this week’s meeting with the Government will achieve a solution all can live with.
Blue Postal refutes closure, tax arrears
A courier company has refuted reports it is closing its Bahamian operation while also dismissing suggestions that the move was sparked by outstanding tax arrears owed to the Government.
Civil registry restored after ‘inordinate delay’
PUBLIC access to the civil registry at the Registrar General’s Department was restored last week as its top official apologised for what she described as an “unexpected and inordinate delay” and disruption.
Village Road seeks ‘two relief umbrellas’
VILLAGE Road businesses are seeking “two umbrellas” of relief for damages and losses due to prolonged roadworks impacting the area.
$300m cruise port won’t be ‘a tourism Wal-Mart’
Nassau Cruise Port’s top executive says he is “absolutely” confident that its $300m transformation will increase visitor spending yields and lure more hotel guests downtown, adding: “We’re not creating a tourism Wal-Mart.”
‘Barely scratching surface’ on Sand Dollar’s adoption
The Bahamas is “barely scratching the surface” of the Sand Dollar’s potential, payment providers asserted yesterday, with the digital currency needing more “high traffic” merchants to accept it to drive adoption.
Royal Caribbean breaks silence in PI controversy
Royal Caribbean yesterday broke its silence on the controversy surrounding its $100m Paradise Island project by asserting the “first-in-kind” proposal will “ensure the economic benefit stays in The Bahamas for generations to come”.
‘Perfect storm of demand’ in 10-15% hotel rate rise
Resorts are enjoying room rates that are 10-15 percent higher than pre-COVID levels because “the perfect storm of demand is working for The Bahamas”, a senior hotelier said yesterday.
Trade deficit grows $164m in late 2022
THE BAHAMAS’ trade deficit for the 2022 fourth quarter expanded by almost 22 percent or $164m year-over-year compared to the prior year as goods imports surged while exports contracted.
Fishermen suffer 45% drop in crawfish price
BAHAMIAN fishermen suffered a 45 percent price drop during the now-closed crawfish season, it was disclosed yesterday, although strong catch volumes offset some of the fall caused by market “overcorrection” and higher global supply.
Union chief to Atlantis: ‘Put own placards on’
THE hotel union’s president yesterday urged Atlantis executives to “go put their own placards on” as he asserted that workers will not fight the mega resort’s battle with Royal Caribbean for it.
IHOP: ‘This is the Caribbean launch, not just The Bahamas’
IHOP’s local franchisee says he will decide on two further New Providence locations “pretty shortly”, adding: “This is the launch of the Caribbean, not just the launch of The Bahamas.”
‘Remarkable’ non-profits need improved structure
Bahamian non-profit groups are performing a “remarkable” service to local families and communities despite being under-resourced and suffering a 20 percent cut in government funding through COVID, it was argued yesterday.
