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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.
Engineers chief: Our growth is being ‘stymied’
The Bahamas Society of Engineers (BSE) president yesterday bemoaned how local professionals were frequently being ‘frozen out’ of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, with work “never touching our soil”.
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.
$20-$30M INVESTMENT AT LAST HOTEL CORP HOTEL
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor An Illinois-based investor is eyeing a $20-$30 million investment during the first two phases of its plans to transform the last Hotel Corporation-owned property into an upscale boutique resort, with talks aiming
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.
Sarkis loses bid to buy $192m claims
The Supreme Court yesterday ruled it was legally impossible for Sarkis Izmirlian to acquire the rights to Baha Mar’s $192 million damages claim against the project’s contractor.
Gas station warning of New Year lay-offs
A gas station operator yesterday warned the 24 percent minimum wage increase will “almost certainly” force the sector to cut staffing levels unless the Government grants a long-awaited margin increase.
PM cuts 2016 GDP growth to just 0.5%
Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday slashed a full percentage point off the Bahamas’ projected economic growth for 2016, cutting real GDP expansion estimates to just 0.5 per cent.
Bahamasair reduces staff 12% in 5 years
Bahamasair reduces staff 12% in 5 years By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Bahamasair has reduced staff levels through "natural attrition" by more than 12 per cent over the past five years, Tribune Business was told yesterday, while improving its
Govt tax crackdown exposes ‘desperation’
The Christie administration’s much-trumpeted tax crackdown has exposed its “desperation” over the strained fiscal position, the Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader yesterday charging: “The Government is broke.”
Tax delinquents warned to brace for ‘shock treatment’
Major tax defaulters were yesterday warned to brace for “shock treatment” from the Government’s recently-unveiled tax crackdown, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce’s (BCCEC) chairman giving his “strong support” to the initiative.
Oil explorer: New fiscal regime does not apply to us
The Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) chief executive yesterday said the Government’s increased ‘take’ from oil exploration would not apply to its activities, because its fiscal terms were already set.
BAHAMAS URGED: ADDRESS FINANCIAL LAW WEAKNESSES
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The US government has again urged the Bahamas to strengthen its anti-terror financing laws and make membership of organised criminal gangs a criminal offence, according to a recently-released US State Department r
Insurers ‘not oblivious’ to Bahamas sanctions threat
THE insurance industry “is not oblivious” to the need for the Bahamas to comply with global anti-financial crime standards and avoid sanctions, its chairman said yesterday.
74% 'PERSONAL' CREDIT IMPEDES DEVELOPMENT
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas' development is being "seriously impacted" because its citizens are unable to invest in key productive areas, such as energy and transportation, due to almost 74 per cent of credit going on 'personal'
'GET YOUR POUND OF FLESH IN THE CORRECT ABATTOIR'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A leading QC told homeowners embroiled in an ongoing battle with the developers of their $52 million project to "seek their pound of flesh in the appropriate abattoir", rather than trouble Prime Minister Hubert In
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.
Gov't pushes deficit elimination forecast back three years
The Government has pushed back its original projections for eliminating the fiscal deficit by three full years, and is now pinning its hopes on a $449 million, four-year 'swing' into surplus.
Less than 1/4 of NIB pension recipients come from poorest 20%
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Fewer than one in four Bahamians receiving a National Insurance Board (NIB) non-contributory pension come from the poorest 20 per cent of society, an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report disclosing that pl
PUBLIC SPENDING TO RISE 'LESS THAN 0.1% OF GDP' VIA WAGE FREEZE END
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Lifting the civil service wage freeze will increase public spending by a sum equivalent to "less than 0.1 per cent of GDP", the Government believes, its major difference with the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
