Halkitis hits out at critics of Budget
MICHAEL Halkitis, State Finance Minister, yesterday defended the Christie administration’s 2014/2015 fiscal plans saying detractors have stretched its interpretation to cause “unwarranted fear in the minds of the public”.
Eight licences maximum is likely for webshops
THE government will likely award a maximum of eight web shop licences as it moves to regulate the sector, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe told The Tribune yesterday.
FNM deputy may go for leadership
FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner last night said she is considering running for the leadership of her party, adding that she has been inundated with support from people asking her to vie for the FNM’s top position.
Human rights group alerted to Cash case
FREE National Movement Chairman Darron Cash has filed a report against the government with Amnesty International over alleged human rights abuses in the aftermath of a search at his home and seizure of personal items.
Still no answers over spy claims
AFTER more than a week with no answers from Americans or “hard facts” over spying claims, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said he plans to raise concerns over allegations at a regional meeting this week.
Mitchell confident that abuse trial will resume
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday expressed confidence in the timely resolution of stalled hearings into allegations of abuse of Cuban detainees.
$1m funding increase 'only cos adjustments'
THE increase of just over $1m in the 2014/2015 budget allocation for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration reflect only cost-adjustments, according to Minister Fred Mitchell.
Bran blasts government over increased debt
DEMOCRATIC National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney yesterday blasted the government for increasing the country’s debt from $4bn to $5.1bn since taking office two years ago.
Spending to increase for 30 ministries and departments
A REVIEW of the spending estimates in the 2014/2015 budget reveals that 30 government ministries and departments will get increases in their allocations in the new fiscal year.
Avoiding devaluation reason for lack of cuts in duty
MINISTER of State for Finance Michael Halkitis said the government’s decision not introduce across the board Customs duty reduction with the looming implementation of value added tax (VAT) will prevent the government from “sinking further in debt” and avoid currency devaluation.
Budget a ‘dismal failure filled with false hope’
THE Free National Movement yesterday dismissed the government’s 2014/2015 budget as a “dismal failure” that contained nothing but “false hope” and the “same old promises.”
‘Hands tied’ for new cellphone licence plans
THE “government’s hands were tied” essentially until 2015 regarding any possible liberalisation of the telecommunications sector following the Ingraham administration’s deal to sell the majority stake in BTC, Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed yesterday.
2,600 jobs added in two years - PM
PRIME Minister Perry Christie confirmed to parliamentarians yesterday that during his administration’s two years in office, labour market conditions improved slightly with 2,600 jobs added to the Bahamian workforce.
Borrowing down - with goal of balanced budget
GOVERNMENT borrowing for the upcoming fiscal year will shrink to $343m compared to the $465m that was borrowed in the 2013/2014 fiscal year, State Minister for Finance Michael Halkitis said yesterday. Mr Halkitis said the government borrowed $512m in the 2012/2013 fiscal year.
July 1 taxation date for web shops
PRIME Minister Perry Christie affirmed his government’s intent to regulate and tax web shops, telling the House of Assembly yesterday that whenever the proposed taxes on the underground sector are introduced, they will be retroactive to July 1 this year.
