Bahamas targets January 1 launch for overflight fees
The Bahamas is aiming to levy fees on aircraft flying through Bahamian airspace by January 1, 2021, a Cabinet minister revealed yesterday, adding: “We think we’re close to a solution.”
Major events planner in NIB payout fears
A major Bahamian events planner yesterday voiced concern about the “horrible situation” facing its staff and other workers due to delays in National Insurance Board (NIB) benefit payouts.
Govt plans civil service 'freeze'
The government is planning to freeze all civil service hirings, promotions and salary increases in a bid to limit the size of a potentially massive 2020-2021 fiscal deficit, it was revealed last night.Kimsley Ferguson, the Bahamas Public Service Unio
Budget must have private sector's back
The government is being urged to “drive confidence” by using today’s 2020-2021 budget to show the private sector it will do whatever it takes to “undergird the economy” and prevent its collapse. Jeffrey Beckles, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and E
Agriculture eyes technology to reverse import increases
The Ministry of Agriculture is aiming to boost vegetable production through the use of hydroponic technology in a bid to reverse double-digit import increases, its top economist said yesterday. Brickell Pinder, addressing the Rethinking Food Securit
Cruise line pushes back Nassau, Freeport return
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line yesterday warned passengers its “onboard experience may look a little different” after it announced a further delay in resuming voyages to this nation. The Palm Beach-based operator said the Grand Celebration will restar
Minister: 50% jobless rate hit to work permits
A Cabinet minister yesterday warned some existing work permits are unlikely to be renewed as The Bahamas grapples with a 50 percent unemployment rate post-COVID-19. Elsworth Johnson, minister of financial services, trade and industry and immigration
Fishermen oppose forced sales to local wholesalers
Bahamian fishermen are opposed to COVID-19 restrictions that force them to sell their product to wholesalers at prices that make it difficult to gain a proper return, an industry representative said yesterday. Adrian LaRoda, the Bahamas Commercial F
First female director named for cooperative movement
The Bahamas has appointed the first-ever woman director of co-operative societies in the movement’s 45 year-existence. Cheryl Bowe-Moss, a 39-year veteran of co-operative societies, was preceded in her post by three men. She was first exposed to the
Bahamas targets January 1 launch for overflight fees
The Bahamas is aiming to levy fees on aircraft flying through Bahamian airspace by January 1, 2021, a Cabinet minister revealed yesterday, adding: “We think we’re close to a solution.”Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, said the gov
Tourism needs 18 month 'ramp up'
A Cabinet minister yesterday said the tourism industry could take 18 months to fully “ramp up” following the COVID-19 shutdown. Dionisio D’Aguilar, pictured , minister for tourism and aviation, told media outside the Cabinet Office: “Obviously we ha
BORCO owner to give $100k COVID-19 help
The owner of Grand Bahama’s BORCO oil storage terminal yesterday said 50 percent of its $200,000 COVID-19 donation to Caribbean countries will go to The Bahamas.
Bahamas facing 'eye popping' 100% debt
The Bahamas faces the “eye popping” prospect that the national debt will equal or exceed the size of its economy come June 2021, a University of The Bahamas (UoB) economics lecturer warned last night. Rupert Pinder told Tribune Business that the Bah
IMF's $252m loan 'prudent and logical'
A former finance minister yesterday backed the government’s move to obtain a $252m “emergency” loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as “a very prudent and logical thing to do”.James Smith, who held the post during the first Christie admini
Luciano's closure makes tourism start 'more critical'
The closure of Luciano’s restaurant, and loss of 72 jobs, makes it “even more critical to open our tourism industry as rapidly as possible”, a Cabinet minister said yesterday.Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, speaking after George
