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Bahamas’ debt to ‘stabilise’ near 70%

The Bahamas’ debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to hover near the IMF”s 70 per cent ‘danger threshold’ in 2016, although an international credit rating agency believes it has “stabilised”.

Bran: US gives ‘kick in hip’ to Govt policies

The US has delivered “another kick in the hip” to the Government’s conduct of economic policy with its latest transparency concerns over public sector contracts, the Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader charged yesterday.

Receiver dismisses 'uninsurable' Baha Mar allegations

Baha Mar's receiver yesterday dismissed claims by firebrand FNM MP, Dr Andre Rollins, that the $3.5 billion development is both "uninsurable" and will cost a further $1.8 billion to complete.

Air cargo pull-out threat result of ‘ill thought-out policy’

The threat of a Bahamas boycott by Florida-based air cargo operators was yesterday branded as “the unintended consequences of ill-thought out policy” by the Opposition’s deputy leader. K P Turnquest warned that as an import-dependent economy, reliant on international transportation links, the Bahamian economy could only suffer if freight companies reduced or eliminated services to this nation.

Union chief: ‘No way’ would I breach law and Bar regulations

A trade union leader yesterday said there was “no way” he would have agreed to an illegal ‘contingency fee’ in taking on Sandals Royal Bahamian all the way to the Privy Council.

FOCOL 'WELL PLACED' FOR IMPROVED 2012

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor FOCOL Holdings yesterday said it was "well-positioned to improve our financial results for 2012", with previously-implemented initiatives to boost operational efficiencies expected to bear fruits that will filter

Gov’t to commit on CLICO by year-end

The Government has pledged to make a public statement on its long-awaited CLICO (Bahamas) resolution by year-end, but one creditor yesterday said he “doesn’t expect a cheque will come” by Christmas.

Chamber chief ‘tired’ of sour economic reports

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce’s (BCCEC) chief executive is “tired” of receiving repeated negative economic reports on this nation, which needs to become “more agile” to reverse course.

Govt ‘encourages’ Bahamian group’s landfill ‘win-win’

The Government is seeking a “holistic” solution to the New Providence landfill’s numerous challenges, and is encouraging a Bahamian consortium to advance its proposal for taking away 25 per cent of existing waste streams.

Realtor has ‘never seen such high rental rates’

A Bahamian realtor says he has “never seen such high rental rates” as now exist in some of western New Providence’s most upscale communities with demand in this segment now suppressing available-for-sale inventory.

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Port chair pledges to address 'vitally important' breaks

THE Grand Bahama Port Authority's (GBPA) newly-confirmed chairman yesterday pledged to address Freeport's "critically important" Business Licence and real property tax exemptions, due to expire in 2015, with the Governmsent once the election was over.

Liquidation reforms to give nation advantage

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Reforms to the Companies Act's liquidation regime that deal with assets held in trust are "very progressive" and give the Bahamas a competitive advantage over its main Caribbean international financial centre riva

PHA exceeds bond target with $26-$27m

The Public Hospitals Authority's (PHA) $25 million bond issue closed slightly oversubscribed, its financial advisers estimating that between $26-$27 million has been raised from investors.

Price control proposal like ‘Gestapo tactics’

The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce (BCCEC) warned yesterday that any Government move to force businesses to reduce prices in line with import duty cuts would be akin to “economic dictatorship” and “Gestapo tactics”.

Water Corp: $1.2m claim was resort financing ploy

The Water & Sewerage Corporation has defeated a $1.227m damages claim for trespass that it alleges was merely a ploy attempting to force it to finance a planned Andros eco-resort.

FAILED BROKER IN '16 REGULATORY BREACHES'

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Securities Commission uncovered 16 alleged regulatory breaches during an on-site inspection of Caledonia Corporate Management less than one year before its $25 million collapse, Tribune Business can reveal, th

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Ex-Miss Bahamas accuses Tourism on copyright, $130k

* Khiara Sherman claims song used with no say-so * Copyright infringed in promoting Bahamas to guests * And Ministry ‘breached’ three-year employment deal

A former Miss Bahamas Universe winner-turned-songstress is suing the Ministry of Tourism for allegedly breaching a $130,000 employment contract and violating her copyright. Khiara Sherman, who once represented the Bahamas at the global pageant then-controlled by US president, Donald Trump, is claiming the Ministry failed to obtain permission to use her song, Fly Away With Me, in its multi-million dollar marketing campaigns.

BOB rights offering takes Govt further down ‘wrong road’

The Government has been pushed further down “the wrong road” on Bank of the Bahamas by the recent $40 million rights offering, an outspoken shareholder said yesterday.

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Private sector targets NHI concerns Christmas present

The Bahamian private sector is hoping to present the Government with a consolidated list of its National Health Insurance (NHI) concerns before Christmas, amid fears that the scheme’s cost estimates “might not be the most ideal”.

Contractors Association: No Baha Mar woe reports yet

Senior Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) executives say they have yet to receive reports of local construction companies not getting due payments for work done on the $3.5 billion Baha Mar project.Senior Bahamian Contractors Association (BCA) executives say they have yet to receive reports of local construction companies not getting due payments for work done on the $3.5 billion Baha Mar project.