Economic vision must go beyond restarting
Preliminary estimates by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) indicate there will be at least a 45 percent decline in international tourism this year because of COVID-19. This will have negative economic implications for
Taxi chief predicts fare and passenger change
The taxi union’s president said fares and the number of passengers drivers carry from Prince George Wharf may alter as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.Wesley Ferguson, the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union’s (BTCU) chief, told Tribune Business: “We may have t
Firms seek clarity over 'curb side'
Companies permitted to offer delivery and pick-up services from today have called for more clarity after the prime minister moved the Bahamian economy to its second re-opening stage.Dwayne Higgs, WHIM Automotive’s general manager, told Tribune Busine
Bahamas must 'reinvent rules' following COVID-19
The head of the Chamber of Commerce’s digital transformation committee is urging Bahamians to “reinvent the rules” to revive the economy in a post-COVID-19 environment. Royann Dean, speaking on a webinar hosted by the Organisation for Responsible Go
Gym owners plead for earlier reopening
Gym and fitness centre proprietors yesterday argued they should be allowed to reopen on the basis that the industry represents no greater COVID-19 risk than the food stores. Sofia Whitehead, owner of Club One Fitness, told Tribune Business: “I think
Govt revenues in 50% March slump
Government revenues declined by 50 percent in March, the deputy prime minister revealed yesterday, as the COVID-19 crisis threw a better-than-expected post-Dorian fiscal showing “out of whack”. K Peter Turnquest, speaking as the government unveiled
Cruise port requires $284m total funding
The Nassau Cruise Port’s transformation has $284.3m in total financing needs with its developer/operator having the ability to introduce new services and charges at its “discretion”. The details are revealed in documents issued to potential investor
Landlords ask: ‘What about us?’
A former Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) president yesterday warned that the government’s rental assistance initiative threatens to place many landlords at “an unfair disadvantage”.
Brewery fears lockdown will waste $500k in beer
A Bahamian brewery and liquor distributor yesterday voiced fears that $500,000 worth of beer it is holding will soon go to waste due to the lockdown, adding: “Something’s got to give.”Gary Sands, the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company’s general ma
Ansbacher adds $1bn by buying departing bank
A Bahamian-owned institution yesterday rescued several financial services jobs by acquiring a $1bn asset portfolio from its departing Swiss-headquartered owner.Julius Baer, which earlier this year dealt a significant blow to the Bahamian financial in
Gas stations 'ecstatic' at extension to 5pm
Gas station operators yesterday said they were “ecstatic” that the government has extended their opening hours to 5pm even though business volumes remain down by 60 percent. Vasco Bastian, owner and operator of Esso’s East Street South and Soldier R
The vicious cycle of lockdown, downgrades and stimulus cost
In the first of a three-part series, Hubert Edwards examines the dilemmas policymakers will confront as they seek to restart their economies with COVID-19 still lurking.
Atlantis uses closure to promote training
Atlantis yesterday said it has been using its COVID-19 enforced closure to focus on education and training for its workforce.Acknowledging that the pandemic’s aftermath will result in a raft of health and safety-related changes to its operating proto
Producer's 4,000 sanitiser bottles in 'huge demand'
A Bahamian hand sanitiser manufacturer yesterday said it can barely keep up with COVID-19 related demand even at “full steam production” of 4,000 bottles per day. Pepin Argamasilla, John Watlings Distillery’s managing partner, told Tribune Business
Atlantis shows it has a heart
Atlantis has placed the symbol of a heart on top of The Royal, its signature tower, which is illuminated at night to show that despite its closure it is “Bahamas at Heart” and thinking about both its employees and guests.
