Many 'moving parts' to buying GB airport
A Cabinet minister yesterday said there would be “a lot of moving parts” involved in negotiating the Grand Bahama International Airport’s (GBIA) acquisition if the owners decided to sell. Dionisio D’Aguilar, minster of tourism and aviation, told rep
Top tourism official wins leading award
The Ministry of Tourism’s director-general has won the title of Caribbean tourism director of the year, according to the Caribbean Travel Awards. Joy Jibrilu, responding to the announcement, said: “I’m still processing the gravity of such a prestigi
Customs system critics finding it 'easier to lie'
Several brokers have argued it is “easier to lie on Customs” rather than admit problems with its new Electronic Single Window (ESW) are of the industry’s own making. The Ministry of Finance, in a statement issued yesterday, quoted several Customs br
‘We need bigger profit on eggs’
Food retailers are seeking "at least" a three-fold increase in the mark-up permitted on eggs by price control, with their Association chief renewing calls for such regulations to be abolished.
Media regulator unveils gaming ad crackdown
Regulators yesterday unveiled a proposed crackdown on gaming advertising carried by Bahamian TV and radio stations in a bid to protect “vulnerable” children and young adults from harm.The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), unveili
Society's poorest 60% consume less than wealthiest 10%
Bahamian per capita income has taken a decade to recover to pre-recession levels of 2007, with a just-released report arguing this masks “significant income inequality”.An Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on proposed welfare system reforms that
VAT services relief 'vital' to Dorian revival speed
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday renewed his plea for the government to eliminate VAT on services in the Dorian-hit islands amid fears the tax will “just delay the rebuilding process”.Ken Hutton told Tribune Business that including ser
National debt strikes $8.3bn
The Bahamas’ national debt hit $8.313bn at end-September 2019 with the full fiscal impact of Hurricane Dorian yet to be felt, the Central Bank’s 2019 third quarterly review has revealed. Unveiled yesterday, the report indicates that with some $508m
US environmental firm's Customs clash 'resolved'
A US-based environmental firm is “still working” on post-Dorian clean-up in Abaco after achieving “resolution” to its previous dispute with Customs, it was confirmed yesterday. Ken Hutton, Abaco’s Chamber president, said the clash that forced Ceres
Sunwing return 'major step for revival of GB'
Cabinet ministers have hailed Saturday’s return of airlift by Sunwing Airlines as “a major step in the revival” of Grand Bahama’s economy following Hurricane Dorian. K Peter Turnquest, deputy prime minister; Senator Kwasi Thompson, minister of state
Warehouse donated to Dorian relief effort
A businessman has donated a Marsh Harbour warehouse to the Bahamas Disaster Reconstruction Authority for use as the main storage facility for Dorian-related relief and reconstruction materials. Chad Sawyer said he provided the former Save-A-Lot faci
Regulator launches its financial technology hub
The Securities Commission’s Board has approved the launch of a financial technology (FinTech) Hub that will enable industry players to launch compliant products and services K. Peter Turnquest, deputy prime minister, said of the SCB FITLink hub: “Th
'Constructive' feedback on procurement reform
The Ministry of Finance’s top official yesterday said it had received “constructive” feedback on legislative reforms intended to transform the Government’s procurement processes. Marlon Johnson, the acting financial secretary, told Tribune Business:
Tourism thrilled at Denver airlift
The minister of tourism is “thrilled” that United Airlines will open more US markets for The Bahamas when it begins service from Denver on March 7, 2020. “We are thrilled that our partners at United Airlines are increasing service, giving Denver and
DPM challenges Cooper on VAT relief for services
The deputy prime minister yesterday challenged his opposition counterpart to explain how he would make-up “the tremendous revenue loss” if services were made VAT-free in the Dorian-hit islands. Confirming that the government has no plans to remove V
