April 23, 2019
Ken Hutton
Stories this photo appears in:
Dorian tax breaks extension ‘no brainer’ following Nicole
Extending the Hurricane Dorian tax breaks in their existing form was yesterday branded “a no brainer” by Abaco residents, who argued that to do otherwise would be “pretty heartless” after the latest storm to strike the island.
‘Game changer’: Out Islands to retain to 25% of revenue
Family Island economies will ultimately retain a minimum 25 percent of real property taxes and Road Traffic fees generated on their specific islands through legislation that was yesterday described as a potential “game changer”.
Abaco Chamber chief: ‘We’re in a scary time’
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said The Bahamas and whole world are entering “a pretty scary time”, adding that the island was “just waiting for the other shoe to drop” when it came to further price hikes.
Abuse not an excuse to alter Dorian tax breaks
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday urged the Government not to use abuse of Hurricane Dorian-related tax breaks as an excuse to narrow or prematurely end his island’s “special economic zone” status.
'Misunderstood' on gasoline VAT cap
Abaco's Chamber of Commerce president believes the Government may have "misunderstood" calls for it to cap - not cut - the amount of VAT it earns on gasoline sales in a bid to ease inflationary pressures in the Family Islands.
‘Leave us alone and we’ll blow 2018 GDP out water’
Abaco’s economic output “will come roaring back and blow 2018’s figures out of the water” if the island’s recovery is freed from the Government’s constant rule changes, its Chamber of Commerce president argued yesterday.
‘One hand tied behind its back’
Abaco businesses and residents are voicing concerns over the imminent deadline by which they must submit applications for the continuation of Hurricane Dorian-related tax relief.
Chamber chief urges VAT gasoline ‘cap’
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday urged the Government to “cap” the VAT it earns from taxing gasoline at 45 cents per gallon and “alleviate the pain” of soaring fuel costs.
Abaco milk runs dry as blows ‘piling on’
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said economic blows keep “piling on top of each other” for the Dorian-ravaged island which has presently run out of milk.
Abaconians need ownership in $60m Marsh Harbour port
The Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday said island residents must gain equity ownership in the $60m public-private partnership (PPP) to redevelop Marsh Harbour’s port.
Construction VAT silence branded ‘unconscionable’
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said it was “unconscionable” that the Government had yet to reverse VAT’s return on construction services, adding: “There’s a lot of angry people here.”
Dorian rebuild in question for 98% on tax break loss
Some 98 percent of business and home owners in Dorian-devastated Abaco say reinstating 10 percent VAT on construction services will “significantly influence” whether they rebuild or not.
Abaco eyes Economic Council after tiring of Nassau’s ‘diktats’
Abaco’s private sector is seeking to create an Economic Development Council for the island, it was revealed yesterday, after becoming tired of being “dictated” to by Nassau.
Dorian-hit islands slam VAT change as ‘short-sighted’
The Government’s assertion that reimposing VAT on construction services in Dorian-hit islands will only hurt a “minority” of wealthy homeowners was yesterday blasted as “short sighted”.
Exemptions order extension welcome - ‘but we need more’
Abaco Chamber of Commerce president Ken Hutton says the extension of the Special Economic Recovery Zone (SERZ) order for Abaco needed to be for three years, not one.
Gov’t ‘running out of time’ on extending Dorian relief
The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday voiced concern that the Government is “running out of time” to clarify if the Dorian tax breaks will be extended beyond year-end.
‘Make Abaco the second Freeport’
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday called for the Dorian-ravaged island to be designated as a ‘second Freeport’ to further spur its recovery from the devastating storm.
Gov’t warned: ‘Time not on Abaco’s side’
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday urged the Davis administration to quickly outline its plans for continued post-Dorian reconstruction, warning: “Time is not on our side.
Chamber chief: ‘Ship has sailed’ on Abaco redesign
An Abaco Chamber head is concerned over the failure to redesign Marsh Harbour to protect it from massive flooding, as happened in 2019 with Hurricane Dorian, lamenting “the ship has sailed”.
Hope Abaco’s port PPP can ‘dodge bullet’
Abaco stakeholders yesterday voiced hope that the government is not too late to “dodge a bullet” with plans to seek a public-private partnership (PPP) for the rebuilding of Marsh Harbour’s sea port.
‘Challenged’ to exploit govts VAT tax break
Real estate buyers will be “challenged” to exploit the government’s VAT waiver/discount on deals under $250,000 due to a shortage of contractors in the Dorian-hit islands, it was argued yesterday.
‘Ready, willing and able’ on Abaco port
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said the private sector was “ready, willing and able” to secure the island’s main port and ensure direct shipping from the US continues.
Further ‘3-5 years minimum’ for Abaco’s Dorian recovery
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday predicted the island’s post-Dorian reconstruction will take a further “three to five years minimum” after COVID-19’s “horrendous impact” on the recovery.
US quarantine’s ‘door slam’ on Abaco rebuild
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday voiced fears that the new US quarantine policy will “slam the door again” on the island’s post-Dorian reconstruction, adding: “We can’t catch a break.”
Abaco to meet Gov’t on ‘number one issue’
ABACO’s private sector is scheduled to meet with the Government today to resolve the “number one question” that is the fate of the island’s post-Dorian Special Economic Recovery Zone.
Extend tax breaks again so Abaco, GB 'roar back'
The further extension of Hurricane Dorian tax breaks is vital to the ability of Abaco and Grand Bahama's economies to "come roaring back", private sector leaders urged yesterday.
Lockdown easing is 'great relief' on Abaco
Abaco's Chamber of Commerce president hailed yesterday's further easing of lockdown restrictions as "a great relief" in the island's battle to recover from the twin ravages of Dorian and COVID-19.
Exempt Abaco cays from COVID curbs, private sector urges
Abaco's Chamber of Commerce has urged the Prime Minister to exempt some of the island's major cays from the new restrictions due to the presence of tourists and minimal number of COVID-19 cases.
Abaco seeks Dorian lockdown exemption
Abaco's Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said he will seek exemptions from the newly-unveiled COVID-19 weekend lockdown to ensure Hurricane Dorian reconstruction continues unimpeded.
Abaco fears 'irreparable blow' if further lockdown
Abaco's Chamber of Commerce president yesterday warned that reimposing a full COVID-19 lockdown on the island would deal its economy and Dorian recovery a "possibly irreparable blow".
Game plan to avoid COVID-19 'salvage'
The Bahamas must urgently develop a COVID-19 “game plan” covering all potential scenarios to prevent its economic recovery from becoming a “salvage” operation, a chamber chief urged yesterday. Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president, t
Hutton: Abaco skills gap affecting quality of work
AS many construction jobs go unfilled in Abaco, a skills gap on the island has sometimes led to substandard construction work, according to Abaco Chamber of Commerce President Ken Hutton. He spoke on Saturday during a virtual job fair highlighting e
Abaco: 'Lockdown last thing we need'
Abaco was yesterday “holding its breath” over COVID-19’s arrival, with the island’s Chamber of Commerce president warning: “The last thing we need right now is a lockdown.” Ken Hutton told Tribune Business that any new shutdown to halt the virus’ sp
Abaco: Back to ground zero
Abaco's Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said the island's post-Dorian recovery has been plunged "back to ground zero" by the COVID-19 crisis, adding: "We're on our own again."
Collision course on South Abaco project
The government is heading for a confrontation with environmental activists after the prime minister last night confirmed it has approved a controversial $580m project for South Abaco.Dr Hubert Minnis, in his televised national address, said the devel
‘Unregulated construction’ alarm on Dorian revival
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president is sounding the alarm over “all this unregulated construction going on” as the Hurricane Dorian rebuilding effort starts to ramp up on the island.
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
'Job half finished' over Dorian zone tax breaks
The Abaco Chamber of Commerce's president yesterday urged the Government to "revisit" its decision to keep VAT on services in the Dorian-hit islands, arguing it had left "the job half finished".
Dorian debris clear needs big 'ramp up'
Abaco’s Chamber of Commerce president yesterday called for post-Dorian debris removal to be “ramped up significantly” given the huge obstacle it presents to the island’s reconstruction. Ken Hutton, pictured , told Tribune Business that the authoriti
Chamber chief: Baker's Bay lay-offs 'temporary'
REDUNDANCIES made at Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club are only temporary, insisted Abaco Chamber of Commerce president Ken Hutton, pictured, yesterday.Speaking to Tribune Business, Mr Hutton said there were no lay-offs at the club, only temporary redu
Business chief insists Abaco security must be restored before commerce can restart
Security is a primary concern for restarting commerce in Abaco and bringing in international cargo, the island’s Chamber of Commerce President Ken Hutton warned yesterday.Hutton told Tribune Business: “Inadequate security is a very big factor in us g
60% non-insurance 'huge factor' for Abaco's rebuild
The Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday warned that the 60 percent non-insurance rate will be a “huge factor” limiting the pace and extent of the island’s recovery.Ken Hutton told Tribune Business that the relatively low level of insuranc
Tax-free status for storm zones 'totally fantastic'
The prime minister’s designation of east Grand Bahama and Abaco as “Economic Recovery Zones” for three years was yesterday hailed by the private sector as “absolutely fantastic”.Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president, told Tribune Busi
Abaco Chamber eyes 'amazing opportunity' via Project Resurrect
The Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday hailed “an amazing opportunity to rebuild the entire island” following the “overwhelming” response to its Project Resurrect initiative. Speaking after the project’s Friday’s unveiling, Ken Hutton s
Chamber chair: Abaco will ‘bounce back’
ABACO’S economy will “bounce back” from the ravages of Hurricane Dorian the island’s Chamber of Commerce president said yesterday, telling Tribune Business: “Everything is completely flattened”.
"We can blame ourselves for airport's problems"
THE lack of accountability and management is at the heart of Abaco airport terminal’s woes, the Out Island Promotion Board’s president said yesterday, arguing: “We’re not maintenance conscious.”Dr Keenan Larry Carroll argued the issues at the $30m Le
Abaco airport 'sorely lacking' for tourism
Visitors to Abaco have endured “first and last impressions” that are “sorely lacking” due to the failure to properly maintain the island’s $30m airport, a private sector leader said yesterday. Ken Hutton, pictured , the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s p
Business slams 500% Customs burden rise
The government yesterday promised that Customs’ new system will “smooth out” after furious Abaco businesses blasted a “400-500 percent” increase in the goods clearance workload. Ken Hutton, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president, estimated this
EIA findings crucial for $580m project
The Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president says the fate of the $580m mixed-use resort project proposed for the island’s south will be decided by the environmental impact findings.
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