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Miller denies running own BEC bid process

Leslie Miller has denied running his own bidding process for the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), even though one energy group says he encouraged them to submit a proposal after they were kicked out of the official tender.

PHA: 20% local spend rise rebuts ‘wipe out’ fears

The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) yesterday said the 20 per cent increase in spending with Bahamian pharmaceutical wholesalers over a two-year period proves that fears it is intent on “wiping out” the industry are groundless.

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Casino reforms keep expat resident bar

The Government’s decision not to allow permanent residents and work permit holders to gamble in Bahamian casinos is a “miniscule” issue that will not delay much-needed reform, a tourism industry executive said yesterday.

Ex-BREA chief ‘not surprised’ by Smith ruling

A two-time former Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) president yesterday said he was “not surprised” at the verdict won by ex-minister George Smith, and renewed his call for the Association and Real Estate Board to be separate.

US judge slams broker chief’s ‘court disregard’

A Bahamian broker/dealer’s principal has been accused of “disregard for the court’s authority”, resulting in a New York judge blocking his bid to retreat from two multi-million dollar securities fraud lawsuits.

OECD attacks like ‘unofficial blacklisting’ of the Bahamas

A former finance minister says the recent OECD-inspired media onslaught against the Bahamas is akin to an “unofficial blacklisting” of its financial services industry, describing the situation as “a new form of international colonialism”.

BISX: Majority of stocks don’t move more than 5%

The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) has “consistently” found evidence to support its method for calculating share prices, with most companies’ stocks never moving more than 5 per cent from the previous day’s close.

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QC urges 19% top earners income tax

A well-known QC yesterday urged the Bahamas to implement a 17-19 per cent income tax on persons earning over $50,000-$75,000 annually, arguing that fears of widespread evasion were overblown.

Freeport suggestions to Gov’t ‘in 2 weeks’

The Government will likely receive recommendations on Freeport’s short and long-term future within the next two weeks, the Opposition’s deputy leader yesterday calling for “quid pro quos” in return for extending the city’s tax breaks.

MP fears Baha Mar impact on sovereign rating

An Opposition MP yesterday warned that the Bahamas’ sovereign creditworthiness could be “very negatively” impacted if the $3.5 billion Baha Mar project fails to open within the next three to six months.

‘Lessons must be learnt’ from Baha Mar’s chinese woe

Lessons must be learned from Baha Mar’s construction woes to ensure other Chinese-led investment projects avoid similar delays, a leading contractor yesterday noting the same company is poised to begin the British Colonial Hilton’s $200 million redevelopment.

Baha Mar’s expat hires told to leave

Baha Mar has told several expatriate hires to leave the Bahamas because construction delays mean there are no jobs for them to step into, amid suggestions it is seeking additional financing to complete the $3.5 billion project.

Nassau world’s 5th most expensive city for hotel vacations

Nassau’s was yesterday ranked as the fifth most expensive city in the world for hotel accommodation, a finding that will further raise concern that this nation is slowly pricing itself out of the global tourism market.

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BEC survives a fuel ‘emergency’

The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) suffered an “emergency situation” on Wednesday night after it almost ran out of fuel due to bad weather disrupting shipping.

Bahamas ‘open for business’ on oil exploration

The Government was yesterday praised for sending “a signal that the Bahamas is open for business” by moving to bring the oil exploration regulatory regime into law, a move that will facilitate well drilling in 2017.

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BEC managerial talks start today

The Government will today begin negotiations with PowerSecure International over the five-year Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) management contract, amid pledges that the deal will be overseen by “a non-partisan” Board.

SEC moving for sanctions against broker’s principal

US federal regulators are seeking sanctions and a default judgment against the Bahamian principal of a broker/dealer for failure to comply with a New York court’s order.

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Wilson: Ingraham responsible for Sth. Eleuthera’s ‘demise’

The developer adjacent to a newly-announced $100 million resort project believes they will together make Cotton Bay “the Caribbean’s premier destination”, as he blasted former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for decisions that caused South Eleuthera’s “demise”.

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Minister to activists: Don’t deny us jobs

A Cabinet Minister yesterday urged environmental activists to be “balanced and responsible” when launching legal actions against legitimate developers, warning that these could deny Bahamians much-needed “economic benefits”.

Unions’ strike threat ‘like child’s tantrum’

Trade unions have been urged not to “throw a child’s tantrum” over the Sandals situation, the Chamber of Commerce’s chairman warning against any strike action that would “cripple” businesses.