Concern over budget's 'dependency' message
A former Chamber of Commerce chairman yesterday voiced concern that the government had sent “a message of dependency” through its 2020-2021 budget presentation. Gowon Bowe told Tribune Business it “can be dangerous” to give the impression that the g
50% cash use fall 'ambitious, not impossible'
The government’s target to reduce Bahamian society’s cash use by 50 percent within the next five years is “ambitious but not impossible”, a well-known banker said yesterday.Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief financial officer, told Tribune Bus
Budget's $55m for small firms 'too moderate'
The government was yesterday urged to almost double the small business financing provided in the 2020-2021 budget to $100m, a sector consultant arguing that the planned allocation was “too moderate”.Mark A Turnquest, pictured, of Mark A Turnquest Con
Extended Dorian tax breaks hailed as 'absolutely critical'
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday hailed the extension of Dorian-related tax breaks through the 2020 year-end and beyond as “absolutely critical” to reviving reconstruction in COVID-19’s wake. Ken Hutton, speaking after K Peter Turnque
Govt health reforms target $62m savings
The government yesterday said it was targeting $62m in savings over a five-year period by permitting the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme to lead the primary healthcare system’s transformation.K Peter Turnquest, deputy prime minister, in unveil
Fishermen: We wanted vehicle duty reductions
Commercial fishermen yesterday said they would have welcomed a reduction in import tariffs on vehicles used to transport their catch rather than tax breaks on equipment already duty-free. Adrian LaRoda, the Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance’s pres
Retail optimism on Back to School VAT 'holiday'
Bahamian retailers yesterday voiced optimism that the government’s declaration of a two-week back-to-school VAT “holiday” will boost sales and spending by hard-pressed Bahamian consumers. John Cathopoulis, general manager of John’s Shoes Store, told
Be 'cold' over $100m SOE subsidy slashes
The government was yesterday urged to make “cold” decisions on whether to retain loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) after it unveiled plans to slash their annual subsidies by $100m within four years. Gowon Bowe, a former Chamber of Commerce
ART OF GRAPHIX: Creating magic in your images
In Photoshop there are various ways and reasons for making a selection. You may want to remove something from a background and replace it with something else. Some of the selection tools found in Adobe Photoshop are better suited for certain tasks th
Financial provider urges Bahamians: Don't panic
A Bahamian financial services provider yesterday urged citizens and investors to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic for opportunities rather than simply panic. Sean Longley, pictured , Leno’s founder and president, said: “We read the headlines daily. We
'Three weeks from oil drilling.. then COVID'
A Bahamas-based oil explorer yesterday revealed it was “within three weeks” of drilling its first well until COVID-19 intervened as it unveiled a revised timetable taking its operations into the 2021 first quarter. Simon Potter, Bahamas Petroleum Co
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
