Tourism focusing on core markets 'bang for buck'
Tourism must focus on “getting the biggest bang for our buck” with post-COVID-19 marketing strategies given that it will not escape government-wide budget cuts, a Cabinet minister said yesterday.Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, t
Extend jobless benefits to 26 weeks, govt told
The Chamber of Commerce’s labour specialist yesterday urged the government to extend unemployment benefits to 26 weeks to prevent companies from having to terminate workers. Peter Goudie told Tribune Business he was “very hopeful” that the Minnis ad
Private islands are 'hot like fire'
A Bahamian realtor yesterday said “the private island market has gone hot like fire” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding: “It’s social distancing at its finest.”Gavin Christie, CA Christie’s managing partner and broker, told a Business Unusu
NIB: 'No major shift' in managing finances
The National Insurance Board’s (NIB) director says the surge in COVID-19 related benefits claims has not caused “a major shift” in how the social security system manages its $1.7bn reserve fund. Dr Nicola Virgil-Rolle, pictured , said the social sec
Auto supplier voices website frustrations
An auto parts supplier is voicing frustration that the government has not given permission to fully operate its online platform amid the COVID-19 lockdown.Dwayne Higgs, WHIM Automotive’s general manager, told Tribune Business that the company’s full-
Landscaping dominates new Business Licences
Landscaping and construction businesses feature prominently among the 178 new Business Licence applications submitted to the Department of Inland Revenue.Gaynell Rolle, the Department’s acting director, said: “We have seen an increase in business lic
Partners unveil tracking tool for COVID-19 fight
A self-screening tool to identify and track potential COVID-19 carriers, those in contact with them and persons most at risk was launched yesterday with a target of 15,000 users per week. The Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) has teamed w
BAMSI donates produce to health, police workers
The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) has donated fresh produce to healthcare workers and law enforcement in North Andros to show appreciation for their COVID-19 efforts. The gift, which included romaine lettuce, beets and oni
'No rebound for six months'
A top banking executive yesterday said The Bahamas “won’t see any rebound in the economy for six months” at least as the “first wave” of loan deferral requests hits the industry. Gowon Bowe, an ex-Chamber of Commerce chairman, told Tribune Business
Most Eleuthera firms suffer 90% drop-off
Eleuthera’s private sector yesterday called for an 18-24 month construction sector tax break package after the national lockdown caused a “greater than 90 percent” drop-off for most businesses.Thomas Sands, president of the island’s Chamber of Commer
Farmers see 'quadrupling' of interest
The Bahamian public’s interest in farming and growing their own produce has “quadrupled” due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the head of an agriculture group said yesterday.
Escape virus crisis through 'currency swap'
A multi-billion dollar “currency swap” with the US Federal Reserve would provide The Bahamas with the necessary foreign currency to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, it has been advocated.Dr Johnathan Rodgers, the well-known “eye doctor”, writing in
General insurers say: 'Show some respect'
Property and casualty insurers yesterday urged the government to “show some respect for the industry” after they were blindsided by inclusion in the government’s premium deferral initiative. Anton Saunders, RoyalStar Assurance’s managing director, t
Hardware stores 'swamped' all day
Hardware stores yesterday said they were “swamped from 8am” as they opened for the first time in a month following the COVID-19 lockdown and emergency orders.Brent Burrows, general manager of CBS Bahamas (Commonwealth Building Supplies), told Tribune
Online food demand rise slows as incomes dry up
Several online food delivery service providers yesterday said they are seeing demand level off as incomes reduce due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Jamial Rolle, the Runnah’s app chief executive, told Tribune Business: “Things are kind of levell
