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Income-type tax ‘likely inevitable’, warns ex-minister
A FORMER financial services minister believes it is “probably inevitable” that the Bahamas will have to introduce some form of low-rate income tax, warning: “We’re not in the clear yet.”
Property Fund ‘gap’ as PwC to vacate Providence House
THE BISX-listed Bahamas Property Fund is preparing for temporary vacancy at its last fully-occupied property, following a $2.206 million third quarter hit caused by a timing adjustment.
Tax crackdown: Govt hits 6,000 businesses, 5,000 property owners
The Government last night unveiled its promised crackdown on tax defaulters, promising to first pursue the largest, wealthiest delinquents - some 6,000 businesses and 5,000 high-end property owners.
Freeport investment law blasted as ‘anti-business’
Freeport’s new tax incentives law was yesterday branded an “abomination” and “anti-business” by an FNM Senator, who argued that it will undermine both the city’s founding agreement and economic growth.
Bahamas can’t afford ‘another five years’ of secretive governance
The Bahamas cannot afford “another five-year cycle” of unaccountable government spending, a governance reformer warned yesterday, arguing that a Fiscal Responsibility Act should have “preceded” Value-Added Tax (VAT).
‘Farcical’: Govt picks up ‘entire’ $40m BOB issue
Bank of the Bahamas’ 3,000 minority shareholders have demonstrated their “complete lack of confidence” in the bank after forcing the Government to pick up its “entire” $40 million rights offering.
Consumer chief set to investigate BPL bill spike
The Consumer Protection Commission’s chairman last night promised to investigate the “double” and “triple” energy bill increases many consumers are now experiencing as a result of Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) post-Matthew billing practices.
TUC chief: Labour law reform ‘unlikely’ before next election
The Trades Union Congress’s (TUC) president yesterday said it was “highly unlikely” that the controversial labour law reforms will be enacted before the upcoming general election, with little progress in negotiations at the National Tripartite Council.
BIFF ‘taken for ride’ over Dingman deal
The Bahamas International Film Festival’s (BIFF) founder yesterday said she was left “embarrassed”, and felt “taken for a ride”, after Jamie Dingman failed to deliver on his promised acquisition of the organisation.
Drug wholesalers yet to feel PHA’s 20% spend rise
Major Bahamian pharmaceutical wholesalers last night said they were yet to feel the benefits of the Public Hospitals Authority’s (PHA) 20 per cent ‘local’ spending increase, with two reporting a decline in government sales this year.
Bahamas urged to ‘review’ corporate income tax merits
The Bahamas was yesterday urged to examine the benefits of implementing a ‘low rate’ corporate tax, and whether this would unlock potential “benefits” from double taxation agreements.
Govt urged to clarify $1m residency threshold
The Government was last night urged to clarify whether the new $1 million investment threshold for accelerated permanent residency consideration represented an increase or decrease from the previous benchmark.
GB Power urged: Don’t seek quick $25m recovery
Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) and its majority owner were yesterday urged not to target “the shortest period of time” to recover their $25 million in Matthew restoration costs from storm-devastated consumers.
GB Power: Consumers to pay $25m storm cost
Grand Bahama Power Company’s (GBPC) plan to recover its $25 million in Hurricane Matthew restoration costs from consumers was last night blasted as “highly irregular and unfair” by one of the island’s MPs.
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.
QC slams ‘free lunch’ for Port and Hutchison
A well-known QC has slammed the Government’s Freeport incentive legislation for “giving a free lunch” to those who can most afford it - Hutchison Whampoa and the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) two family shareholders.
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”.
800 job applications for new mobile player
Cable Bahamas had received around 800 applications for jobs with the nation's second mobile provider by end-last week, it was revealed yesterday, and is confident the new operator can beat its financial targets.
Ex-minister: Dingman case 'waste of judicial resources'
Trying the $1.1 million damages claim against Jamie Dingman's failed Nassau restaurant empire in New York will be "a waste of judicial resources", a former Cabinet minister is arguing.
‘No way’ Bahamas can be cut to junk
There is “no way” that Moody’s can cut the Bahamas to ‘junk’ status because it is still meeting all its debt obligations as they become due, a former finance minister argued yesterday.
