Opposition decries BPL VAT threshold increase
THE Opposition’s finance spokesman yesterday argued that raising the value-added tax (VAT) exemption ceiling for electricity bills from $200 to $300 will do little to help struggling Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) consumers.
Bahamas in ‘battle’ to save financial services
THE BAHAMAS is in a “battle” to save its financial services industry, the Deputy Prime Minister said yesterday, expressing optimism that legislation tabled yesterday will avert any further “blacklistings”.
The future is now as technology summit comes to GB
This month, The Bahamas successfully hosted its second annual technology summit in Grand Bahama. The theme for this year’s summit was “The Future is Now”, and attracted over 600 participants including investors, IT Professionals, developers, innovators and stakeholders from within the region and abroad.
Stopovers rise ‘a phenomenal’ 18% in Abaco
Stopover visitors to Abaco increased by “a phenomenal” 18 percent for the first eight months of 2018, with the island’s airport now the country’s second busiest due to Freeport’s decline.
Tours and land-to-table ventures hailed as opportunities
The newly-formed Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) has identified land rental tours and farm-to-table businesses among the entrepreneurial opportunities available to Abaconians.
Six years on - where’s my money?
Bahamian justice has been denied a fully-modernised Supreme Court registry because of a six-year legal dispute over an alleged multi-million dollar breach of contract.
Vulnerable sectors: WTO’s ‘initial shock’ may cause wipe-out
An ex-Cabinet minister yesterday called for more focus, and specific policy actions, for vulnerable industries that may not be able to withstand the “initial shock” of World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership.
Small businesses face potential NHI ‘double whammy’
The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president is seeking ways to ease the potential National Health Insurance (NHI) “double whammy” faced by small businesses.
Bahamas investor rules ‘shakier’ than rest of Caribbean
The Bahamas’ investment rules are “more ill-defined” than anywhere else in the Caribbean, a consultant for the Chamber of Commerce blasted yesterday.
Arawak port bulks up as autos fall off
A 59,000 ton increase in bulk aggregate imports, combined with a $109,000 year-over-year expenses decline, enabled the Arawak Cay port’s operator to beat profit targets by nine percent.
‘Significant scale’ keeps Scotiabank in Bahamas
The Bahamas’ “significant scale” yesterday prevented its inclusion among nine Caribbean jurisdictions that Scotiabank has announced it plans to exit via a $123m deal.
VAT hike to offset WTO tariff slashes
The Deputy Prime Minister yesterday confirmed that the VAT rate increase’s medium-term goal is to offset revenue loss stemming from WTO-related import tariff cuts.
Bahamas committed to marine protection goals
The Bahamas remains committed to setting aside 20 percent of its territorial waters as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by 2020, a Cabinet minister has confirmed.
Minister promises: ‘No NHI black hole’
A Cabinet Minister yesterday pledged “there’s not going to be an NHI information black hole” amid private sector concerns about insufficient details to justify the scheme’s pricing.
Hotel work-to-rule ‘frenzy’ unwarranted
The hotel union’s president yesterday said he would act “in the best interests” of members and the industry, as the “work-to-rule” across New Providence resorts continues to Thursday.
