Small businesses brace for 25% consumer spend drop
Bahamian small businesses were yesterday said to be bracing for up to a 25 percent drop-off in consumer demand compared to pre-COVID levels as inflation chips away at buying power.
Switching banks like ‘giving birth’
The Bahamas must make it easier for customers to switch banks and thereby boost competition, a senior banker agreed yesterday, as he likened the current process to “giving birth”.
BTC revenues $17.4m off pre-COVID levels
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) 2021 full-year revenues were $17.4m below pre-COVID levels despite representing a 4.9 percent year-over-year gain on 2020.
Bahamas at ‘critical point’ in gaining COVID balance
The Bahamas has reached “a critical juncture” in its battle against COVID-19 where it must balance saving lives and preserving livelihoods, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is warning.
‘Missed generations’ now threaten farming
The Bahamas has “missed generations of farmers” by failing to attract young entrepreneurs to agriculture, a Cabinet minister said yesterday, warning that this threatens the sector’s sustainability.
Extend remote working to mitigate energy cost surge
Businesses were yesterday urged to mitigate the impact of rising energy and fuel costs by allowing the remote working practices that flourished as a result of COVID-19 to continue.
Taxi call-up app to launch next month
An app that will allow Bahamian consumers to call for a taxi from anywhere, and at any time, will be launched next month, the Taxi Cab Union’s president said yesterday.
Greater funeral attendance no major boost for homes
Increased funeral attendance at churches will not produce a major boost for funeral homes, it was revealed yesterday.
Civil service increments delay on finance sick-out
A Cabinet minister says the next round of increment payments to civil servants will not happen on schedule because of the finance officer sick-out that cost the Government some $7.5m.
‘First-of-its-kind’ deal for $111m fraud victim
A Cayman judge has hailed a “first-of-its kind solution” that will enable a Bahamian financial institution and its clients to recover almost 70 percent of their $111m claim against “a serious fraud”.
Planning row erupts on ‘swimming with the pigs’
Residents were yesterday demanding that planning authorities close two New Providence-based “swimming with the pigs” attractions that have “totally changed our neighbourhood”.
Bank fees: CIBC and Fidelity are cheapest
CIBC FirstCaribbean charges the lowest fees for student and retiree savings accounts, the Central Bank revealed yesterday, with Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) largely leading the field on adult facilities.
Realtor: Subdivision checks not assured
A former Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) president yesterday said not all attorneys ask for proof of subdivision approval before giving title opinions on property purchases.
Ukraine crisis may see gas price at $6 a gallon
Bahamian consumers and businesses were yesterday warned to brace for gasoline prices to hit $6 per gallon next month after the Ukraine crisis sent oil prices soaring to seven-year highs.
DPM: Health travel visa’s speed ‘no excuse’ on lapses
THE deputy prime minister yesterday argued that the speed with which the Health Travel Visa had to be put in place to re-open the tourism economy was “no excuse” for governance failures.
