The truth behind the Fed’s rate inaction
ActivTrades
MANY investors and analysts were caught by surprise after last week’s ‘No-Event’ from the Federal Reserve’s Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. The Fed’s chairman, Jerome Powell, only came with words rather than actions at last Wednesday’s press conference, where he announced the FOMC did not make any changes to short-term interest rates, even though this had been widely expected.
New tax measures to bridge ‘gap’ over Gov’ts extra $1.3bn
The Government will bridge the “gap” to its $1.3bn revenue increase with “additional measures” in the upcoming mid-year Budget as it faces criticism for “very extreme” fiscal forecasts.
Creating an identity as a true republic
IN this segment, we will explore the various impacts if The Bahamas became a Republic, and moved away from a constitutional parliamentary democracy. This discussion follows Barbados departing from being an independent dominion, in which the Queen acted as head of state as represented by a governor-general.
Employment won’t return to pre-Dorian levels until 2025
Bahamian employment will not fully recover to pre-COVID and Dorian levels until 2025, marking a six-year stretch where the economy has endured elevated jobless numbers.
Gov’t to expand fiscal responsibility targets
The Government is pledging to reform the Fiscal Responsibility Act by expanding its scope to further boost accountability and transparency surrounding how the public finances are managed.
Hotel chief backs ‘diversity’ from Emirates tourism deal
The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) president says “diversity is important” after this nation signed an agreement with Emirates Group to promote its largest industry.
Lucayan union deal a ‘betrayal of trust’
The Grand Lucayan’s ex-chairman yesterday blasted the Government’s decision to settle with the resort’s managerial union as “a betrayal of trust” that has heaped further costs on taxpayers.
Gov’t predicts national debt’s peak at $11.2bn
The Bahamas’ national debt is forecast to peak at $11.2bn in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, it was revealed last night, and return to the legally-required 50 percent of GDP threshold by the next decade.
Foreign appraisers ‘an insult’ to local realtors
A Bahamian realtor yesterday argued that the use of foreign appraisers is “an insult” to the local industry as he backed arguments that the 2022 real property tax bills are “null and void”.
Deltec creates ‘one of largest banks’ with Ansbacher deal
Deltec Bank & Trust last night said it will become “one of the largest international private banks in The Bahamas” with its acquisition of rival institution Ansbacher (Bahamas).
Gov’t targets Budget surplus by June 2025
The Government is targeting a first-ever Budget surplus of $71.9m by 2024-2025 without having to introduce new and/or increased taxes, its latest fiscal projections revealed last night.
Farmer raises climate query for $60m project
A BAHAMIAN farmer is questioning whether enclosed agricultural projects, such as Eeden Farms’ $60m Gladstone Road joint venture, can thrive due to this nation’s hot climate.
Potter’s Cay vendors wait to kickstart blaze rebuild
POTTER’S Cay vendors yesterday said they expect to be informed in a fortnight’s time when building materials will be released to repair the devastation caused by last April’s fire.
IAN FERGUSON: Steps for achieving workplace fairness
Fairness and equity will be the defining issues for companies in both 2022 and years to come. The workplace environment has a great impact on employee productivity and their view of employers. Happiness at work is a metric that can be hard to measure, but is essential to the success of a company. Managers must use their control over policy to ensure fairness in the workplace so employees feel productive and happy.
$50m target for RF private equity fund
A Bahamian investment bank yesterday revealed it is launching a private equity fund that aims to raise up to $50m over the next three-five years for “investments in possibilities” post-COVID.
