Approval controversy over Briland project
Harbour Island’s chief councillor last night confirmed no written site plan approval has been granted to a controversial marina project despite the council voting unanimously in its favour. Terrance Davis told Tribune Business that the Harbour Islan
Retailers give mixed Xmas sales outlook
BAHAMIAN retailers are reporting a mixed Christmas sales outlook as the holiday shopping rush moves towards its climax within the next 48 hours. Jack Moree, general manager of the Sandy’s department store chain, said things are “not very good. All a
No 'talking bad' on GB Power's work
The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president said he will “not talk bad” about the island’s energy supplier despite its recent admonition from the deputy prime minister. Gregory LaRoda, responding after K Peter Turnquest urged the Grand Bahama P
Insurers 'sorry' for 15% hike . . . but it's worth it
Major Bahamian insurers yesterday warned property owners they face “a minimum” 15 percent premium rate rise in 2020 with Dorian-related claims set to hit peak estimates of $2bn. Patrick Ward, Bahamas First’s president and chief executive, told Tribu
BISX-listed group urged delay over customs system
A BISX-listed food retail group has revealed it pleaded with Customs to introduce its new electronic platform in January “to make the transition a little easier”, but its arguments were not listened to.Gavin Watchorn, AML Foods’ president and chief e
Sky swoops in to block asset sale
A troubled Bahamian airline prevented from flying for over five months has obtained a Supreme Court injunction to block a former partner selling its assets. Sky Bahamas, through an ex-parte application where only its attorneys were present, persuade
US airlines want more before returning to GB
Major US airlines want “greater infrastructure upgrades” to Grand Bahama International Airport than their own industry regulators before they will resume flying, a Cabinet minister revealed yesterday. Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and avia
Freeport hotel braces for 'worst xmas ever'
A major Freeport hotel is on track for its “worst Christmas ever” despite enjoying a strong fall, with occupancy rates set to plunge from “the high 80s” to around 30-40 percent.Magnus Alnebeck, Pelican Bay’s general manager, yesterday told Tribune Bu
Plastic distributors prepare 'alternatives' as ban nears
Major distributors yesterday said they already have “alternatives” to single-use plastic bags and styrofoam products in place ahead of the ban that will come into force from January 1. Marc Serfontein, Darville Packaging’s production manager, told T
Eleuthera poised for winter records
A Bahamian real estate firm believes mainland Eleuthera is poised to set new visitor and second homebuyer records this winter season based on initial numbers.“There hasn’t been a lull yet,” said Angelika Bacchus, an Eleuthera-based estate agent with
Mortgage Corp receives $27m in Dorian payouts
The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation (BMC) yesterday said it has received $27m in Hurricane Dorian-related insurance payouts on behalf of its borrower clients, and expects this number to rise. Philip Haven, its managing director, said the taxpayer-owned
Nassau/PI hotels give mixed Xmas outlook
Several Nassau/Paradise Island hotel operators yesterday reported a mixed Christmas occupancy and bookings outlook as the industry readies for the peak winter 2020 season. Ketera Rolle, acting general manager for the Holiday Inn Express, told Tribun
Tax evaders told: 'Your time is up'
The Ministry of Finance’s top official yesterday warned invoice fraudsters and tax evaders that their time is up, as he pledged: “The days of friend and favour are over at the border.” Marlon Johnson, pictured , acting financial secretary, said ther
Bahamas tops hemisphere for quickest govt services
The Bahamas is among the hemisphere’s best performers for the speed at which government services are delivered, even though “three visits” are required to complete one-third of such transactions. These findings, contained in a newly-released Inter-A
BPL: $27 family bill rise 'critical to turning page'
Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) today reveals the “average” family will see a $27 per month increase in their bills from March 2020 onwards to help service its $650m debt refinancing.The utility, in an advertisement in today’s newspaper, says a “new l
