Top pharmacist: ‘We must reconsider VAT on drugs’
A senior pharmacist yesterday argued “we have to reconsider putting VAT on medicines” amid industry concerns over how reforms to a plan impacting more than 37,000 Bahamians could affect pricing.
Electric vehicle dealer in ‘no rush’ on new HQ
A Bahamian electric vehicle (EV) dealer says it is on target for a 30 percent sales increase in 2024 while revealing there is “no rush” to construct its planned headquarters on the East-West Highway.
Insurance sector bracing for weekend flood claims
Bahamian insurers yesterday said they are bracing for an unknown number of property and auto claims following the weekend’s heavy rainfall and flooding.
Union warns on rehiring public service retirees
A trade union leader yesterday warned it may initiate legal action over the Government’s contractual rehiring of retired public servants aged over 65.
Cruise port aims to become 100% solar
Nassau Cruise Port is aiming “within the next 60 days” to launch a project that will generate 100 percent of its energy needs from solar as it targets six million passenger arrivals for 2025.
Abaco resort’s business beats pre-Dorian levels
A well-known Abaco resort yesterday said business volumes have picked up to a level that now exceeds pre-Dorian trade.
Tourism’s growth pace ‘unwinds’ from rapid post-COVID rebound
The Central Bank yesterday said tourism’s growth continues to “unwind from the rapid recovery” enjoyed post-COVID with July’s increase in higher-spending air arrivals “more tempered” than cruise passengers.
Gov’ts $102m deficit swing shrugs off VAT undershoot
The Government says it has broken the long-standing trend of May Budget deficits with a $101.7m positive swing that generated a near-$26m monthly surplus for the recently-closed 2023-2024 fiscal year.
Construction ‘into the meat’: New permit value near-triples
The Bahamian construction industry is “just getting into the meat of what it can do” after the value of new building permits issued during the 2024 first quarter near-tripled year-over-year.
Bank eyes solar after $6.5m expense jump
Commonwealth Bank is eyeing investments in solar energy “to help control” electricity costs after its general and administrative (G&A) expenses jumped more than $6.5m for the 2024 half-year.
‘Crippling’ for economy if Abaco ports not resolved
A Cabinet minister has acknowledged growing concerns over the fate of Abaco’s two commercial shipping ports amid fears this could be “crippling” for the island’s economy if unresolved.
Marinas brace for ‘worst Labour Day in a decade’
Bahamian marinas were yesterday said to be facing “the worst US Labour Day weekend we’ve seen in the last decade” with electricity costs up 25 percent “over usage” under BPL’s new rate structure.
Ocean Club plans 30-day temporary closure
A HIGH-END Paradise Island resort is set to temporarily close for 30 days to permit upgrades to two restaurants, it was revealed yesterday.
‘Not out of whack’: Fired Gaming Board staff win $1.9m damages
A TRADE union leader yesterday defended the near-$1.9m total damages awarded to five former Gaming Board staff for wrongful and unfair dismissal as “not out of whack”.
Auto chief: No alarm on ‘30% dip’ in used cars
THE Bahamas Motor Dealers Association’s (BMDA) president yesterday said a recent “30 percent dip” in his firm’s used vehicle sales is no cause for alarm amid plans to close 2024 “with a bang”.
