‘Now or never’ for Freeport
A prominent QC yesterday urged the government to seize the “now or never” opportunity provided by COVID-19 to transform Freeport into “the economic juggernaut for the future of The Bahamas”.
Central Bank chief: Fiscal 'discipline' key after COVID
The Central Bank’s governor yesterday warned that the government must reimpose fiscal discipline once the COVID-19 crisis has passed so it can continue to access the debt markets. John Rolle, during a webinar hosted by the Ministry of Finance, said
Over 100 private planes targeting Bahamas visits
A Bahamian fixed base operator (FBO) says it has close to 100 private aircraft inquiring about coming to The Bahamas within the next month after the sector reopened for business yesterday. Alphonso Bowe, general manager of Jet Nassau Air Elite, told
Auto dealer’s fury over port charges
A frustrated Bahamian auto dealer yesterday revealed he “cannot make any headway” in resolving demands for thousands of dollars in port storage fees after COVID-19 left his vehicle imports “stuck on the dock”.
New auto sales plunge 90% at COVID’s peak
New car sales plunged more than 90 percent during the COVID-19 lockdown’s peak, data seen by Tribune Business has revealed, with many dealerships “not selling a single vehicle” for April.
Govt not hostage to WTO 'target dates'
The government will not be held hostage to any deadlines or timelines for completing The Bahamas’ accession to full World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership, a Cabinet minister said yesterday. Elsworth Johnson, pictured , minister of financial serv
RBC unveils second covid relief phase
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) yesterday unveiled a second phase of loan repayment deferrals for Bahamian and Caribbean clients impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.RBC’s personal banking clients will be able to apply for further three-month payment
Business Licence Act needs 'export turnover' clarity
The government is being urged by the financial services industry to reform the Business License Act to clarify the definition of “export turnover”, a Cabinet minister said yesterday.Elsworth Johnson, minister of financial services, trade and Immigrat
Beauty sector re-opens with appointment-only
Barbers and hair salons yesterday said they were focusing on appointments only as the sector re-opened following three months of COVID-19 lockdown. Garcia Davis, The Edge of Paradise Barber Shop’s owner/operator, told Tribune Business : “Our first d
Baha Mar eyeing 15-20% job cuts
A Cabinet minister yesterday conceded it is “deeply concerning” that Baha Mar has delayed its re-opening amid plans to make “additional staffing reductions” that could result in hundreds losing their jobs. Dionisio D’Aguilar, pictured , minister of
'Transformative' COVID leaves retailer targeting overseas expansions
A Bahamian retail entrepreneur says COVID-19’s “transformative” impact has spurred him to look at regional expansion with sales “30 percent off” as his businesses emerge from lockdown.Andrew Wilson, the Quality Business Centre (QBC) proprietor, told
Unemployment back to 'single digits' by 2022
The government’s top labour official is projecting that various “anchor projects” will return The Bahamas’ jobless rate to “single digit” levels by the end of 2022. John Pinder, the director of labour, told Tribune Business that multiple development
ACTIVTRADES: A green revolution could emerge from the economic devastation caused by the coronavirus
In the face of adversity, it’s normal and healthy to find reasons to be cheerful, so spirits can be kept high and the fightback initiated; every cloud has a silver lining, as the saying goes. One of the silver linings found during the coronavirus cri
How hotels, banks can fight human trafficking
As the world’s greatest economy approaches June 19, a date that marks news of the abolition of slavery reaching Texas, financial crime professionals across the US and the world are grappling with a different but uncomfortably similar problem. It is m
Restaurant proprietor 'blessed to be open'
A Sandy Port restaurant’s proprietor says he is “blessed to be open” after enduring a three-month COVID-19 lockdown even though the prohibition on indoor dining will cost him 40 percent of normal revenues. Jacques Carlino, owner/operator of the Blue
