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Banks: SWITCH 'decision likely' by end-April

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The commercial banking industry will "likely make some decisions" by end-April 2012 on the establishment of a local SWITCH network, something that will allow Bahamians debit card access to funds in their chequing

Banks: SWITCH 'decision likely' by end-April

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The commercial banking industry will "likely make some decisions" by end-April 2012 on the establishment of a local SWITCH network, something that will allow Bahamians debit card access to funds in their chequing

SPEED WEEK CHIEF EYES 2,500-3,000 EXTRA ROOM NIGHTS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Bahamas Speed Week's president has estimated that the revival event generated between 2,500-3,000 room nights for the Bahamian hotel industry, describing its economic impact as "quite substantial". While Bahamas S

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‘No guarantees’ for web shops

Web shop operators were yesterday said to be “very concerned” over the uncertainty and lack of any guarantees surrounding the industry’s impending legalisation.

Baha Mar guest: ‘I’ll only return to look at the ruins’

A Houston entrepreneur says he will never return to the Bahamas unless it is to view “the ruins of the Baha Mar disaster”, after the enforced cancellation of his wedding left him $100,000 “out of pocket”.

Ex-Hard Rock franchisee queries transfer to ex-MP

Hard Rock Cafe's former Nassau franchisee has questioned why the business was so readily handed to its Bahamian landlord, when a decade earlier he had been "forced" to pay $1 million to end their partnership.

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$600m Sarkis claims branded 'hogwash'

An ex-Baha Mar director has slammed as "hogwash" claims that Sarkis Izmirlian lacked the $600 million financing needed to complete the project, accusing the Government of "playing the blame game".

Port's 25% growth hides missed trade potential

Freeport is failing to attract “a wider range” of businesses and become a true logistics/distribution hub, despite the Container Port outstripping all Caribbean rivals with 25 per cent cargo throughput growth.

URCA 'u-turn' over third cellular player

URCA 'u-turn' over third cellular player By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamian communications regulator has reversed course by deciding not to reserve space in the key 700 MHz radio frequency spectrum for a third cellular operator, while

Gov't urged: 'Change air cargo fines today'

The Government has been urged to "amend right away this Monday" the new and increased Customs sanctions on air cargo operators, a Bahamian courier company branding them "ridiculous".

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'Mixed bag': Auto sales 50% off peak

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A leading auto dealer believes the industry will "eventually" recover to levels comparable to its 2007 peak, despite 2011's new car sales being almost 50 per cent down on that banner period in what was described a

IMF slashes Bahamas 2016 growth to 1.5%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slashed its 2016 growth forecast for the Bahamas by a further 0.7 percentage points to just 1.5 per cent, due to the Baha Mar impasse.

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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AG’s Office: We bungled Blackbeard’s Cay appeal

The Attorney General’s Office has admitted that the Government’s appeal over the $8 million Blackbeard’s Cay project was thrown out because it was asleep on the job.

Landfill chief: ‘Don’t read anything’ into our CEO transition

Renew Bahamas’ principal shareholder yesterday said “nothing can be read” into his stepping down as the New Providence landfill manager’s chief executive, as concerns persist over its financial health.

Skills transfer woe still a ‘sad reality’

The Bahamas must change “the sad reality” that key skills and knowledge are not being passed on to local workers by expatriate work permit holders, a prominent contractor argued yesterday.

ROAD PROJECT WAGES 50% BELOW 'NORMS'

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Wages paid to skilled Bahamian tradesmen by the main New Providence Road Improvement Project contractor were around 50 per cent below market norms, the Bahamian Contractors Association's (BCA) president said yeste

ROAD PROJECT WAGES 50% BELOW 'NORMS'

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Wages paid to skilled Bahamian tradesmen by the main New Providence Road Improvement Project contractor were around 50 per cent below market norms, the Bahamian Contractors Association's (BCA) president said yeste

ROAD PROJECT WAGES 50% BELOW 'NORMS'

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Wages paid to skilled Bahamian tradesmen by the main New Providence Road Improvement Project contractor were around 50 per cent below market norms, the Bahamian Contractors Association's (BCA) president said yeste

Bahamas can take $5-$10bn premium 'captive' with focus

Bahamas can take $5-$10bn premium 'captive' with focus By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas could attract between $5-$10 billion in premium income within five years if it made a concerted effort to re-establish itself as a captive insura