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BTC profits slump 26.4%
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) suffered a 26.4 per cent profits slump for the year to end-March 2015, as its revenues and staffing levels came under pressure in the run-up to mobile liberalisation.
CWC: BTC ‘lags’ region despite $75m investment
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) controlling owner yesterday conceded that its network quality “lags” much of the Caribbean and wider world, despite increasing its capital investment by 47 per cent last year.
‘Wonderful opportunity’ for Long Island revival
The resolution to a 10-year dispute over Long Island’s one-time largest employer presents “a wonderful opportunity” to revive the island’s economy, its MP yesterday describing the surrounding area as “ghost town”.
Court: ‘No deal’ for 25,000 acre property
An $11.5 million deal to purchase the 25,000 acre property that was once Long Island’s largest employer cannot be concluded because there was never “an enforceable sales contract”, the Privy Council ruled yesterday.
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”.
Baha May delay’s 50% cut to growth
Baha Mar’s delayed opening could potentially slash 50 per cent off the Bahamas’ 2015 economic growth forecast, a well-known businessman has warned.
Bahamas ‘falls off map’ on Caribbean hospitality lending
The Bahamas has ‘dropped off the map’ among traditional bank lenders to the hotel/tourism industry, with this nation failing to feature among the top 10 Caribbean destinations for new lending.
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.
Gov’t agrees ‘few hundred thousand’ in VAT credits
The Government has approved “several hundred thousand dollars” of Value-Added Tax (VAT) credit refunds, a top official yesterday promising that businesses would not endure “a protracted wait” to receive them.
BEC manager-elect slams 'fraud by hindsight' claim
The Bahamas Electricity Corporation's (BEC) prospective manager has dismissed as "fraud by hindsight" claims that it artificially inflated its stock price prior to a one-day wipe-out that erased $250 million in shareholder value.
Litigation concern on Baha Mar delays
Fears were mounting yesterday that the continued delays to Baha Mar’s opening could spark litigation between the parties involved, a Caribbean tourism expert warning they had “better get their act together” to avoid lasting damage to the project and the Bahamas.
Attorney demands promotional body for Grand Bahama
A leading Freeport attorney yesterday demanded that the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and Hutchison Whampoa be required to finance a Professional Marketing Organisation (PMO) to internationally promote what he described as “the forgotten island”.
Hotel union on gratuity ‘red alert’
The Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) yesterday said it had placed its members on ‘red alert’, amid fears that other New Providence hotels will attempt to follow Baha Mar’s lead and eliminate the 15 per cent gratuity enjoyed by hotel employees.
Ryan’s employer: Financial sector’s ‘great opportunity’
Ryan Pinder’s new employer believes the Bahamas has “a tremendous opportunity” in financial services if it is innovative, with its current recruitment drive intended to position the institution “for the next 20 years”.
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.
Broker ‘in peril’ if it meets US demands
A Bahamian broker/dealer will “act at its peril” should it comply with US federal regulators’ demands to produce thousands of documents relevant to their ongoing New York legal battle.
RoyalFidelity predicts ‘double digit millions’ for new fund
RoyalFidelity believes its latest mutual fund will attract “double digit millions” from Bahamian investors through its promise to pay them a 4 per cent annual dividend.
Bimini Bay facing homeowners revolt
The Bimini Bay Resort is facing a homeowners revolt in the Supreme Court, with multiple purchasers voicing concerns over how their properties and multi-million dollar maintenance fee sums are being managed.
Illegal netting threatens $1.5m bonefish investment
A Long Island bonefishing lodge owner says his $1.5 million investment and six jobs are being jeopardised by illegal netting, which threatens to “wipe out” the industry within the next five years.
Atlantis eyes 100k extra room nights in Marriott tie-up
Atlantis is hoping its 10-year franchise deal with Marriott International will generate an extra 50,000-100,000 room nights per year, its top executive describing the agreement as “the most significant tourism stimulus for the Bahamas this decade”.
