Push reforms to make ‘real dent’ in corruption
The Bahamas can make “a real dent” in its anti-corruption standing if it passes four critical laws this year, a governance reformer argued yesterday, having “missed the opportunity” in 2022.
DPM targets 8m visitors for 2023
The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday forecast that 2023 tourist arrivals will hit the eight million mark with downtown Nassau’s British Colonial Hilton set to fully re-open by year-end.
Patients are warned: Brace for VAT ‘shock’
Bahamian patients were yesterday warned to brace for “a shock even at the smallest levels” as the change in VAT’s treatment of medical insurance claims payouts will further fuel already-soaring medical costs.
Bahamian liquidators say ‘no’ to DOJ FTX examiner
FTX’s Bahamian liquidators are opposing the US Justice Department’s bid for an investigator to probe the crypto exchange’s collapse on the grounds it is overkill and will cost creditors “tens of millions of dollars”.
Police: Reported financial crimes strike five-year low
TOTAL financial crimes reported to the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) fell to their lowest level for five years in 2022 with a near-30 percent decline compared to 2021.
Radio station blames COVID for closure
A BAHAMIAN radio station yesterday confirmed it will close today after COVID-19’s financial fall-out for advertisers eroded its main income source.
Cruise port to be ‘larger version’ of Marina Village
THE Deputy Prime Minister yesterday said Nassau Cruise Port wants to be “a larger version of Marina Village” on Paradise Island as he confirmed legislation for downtown’s management has been drafted.
Minnis: Gov’t is ‘penny wise, pound foolish’ on health VAT
An ex-prime minister yesterday accused the Government of being “penny wise and pound foolish” over the imminent change in VAT treatment of health insurance claims payments.
Hotels eyeing ‘unprecedented forward bookings’ during 2023
The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) president yesterday disclosed the industry is eyeing “unprecedented levels of forward bookings” for the 2023 first half and full year after December beat historical trends by 10 percent.
Financial Stability Council to develop ‘crisis playbook’
The Central Bank’s governor yesterday said the creation of a Bahamian Financial Stability Council will help “develop a playbook” for how regulators and the Government manage an industry “crisis”.
Cheque elimination not a ‘simple flip of switch’
The Central Bank’s governor yesterday conceded that plans to eliminate the use of cheques by end-2024 are “not as simple as flipping a switch” given the resistance encountered thus far to the move.
Governor eyes IMF-beating 4-6% GDP growth for 2023
The Central Bank’s governor yesterday forecast that The Bahamas could beat International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections by growing its economy “anywhere in the 4-6 percent range” for 2023.
Landscaper: Don’t single out Haitian work permits
THE Bahamas Landscaping Association’s (BLA) chairman says the Government should not bar only new work permit applications for Haitians as there are multiple other nationalities holding jobs Bahamians can do.
$50m Arawak Cay project targets ‘Tesla-like’ impact
A Bahamian former professional basketball player is investing $50m in an Arawak Cay manufacturing facility he hopes will enable this nation to become “a leader in the field” of climate-resilient construction.
Cruise port’s $138m refinance eyes millions in cost savings
Nassau Cruise Port yesterday disclosed it is aiming to slash annual debt servicing costs by several million dollars through refinancing the $138m bond debt that kickstarted its transformation at COVID’s peak.
