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CAR DEALERS SUFFER $75M REVENUE HIT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Bahamas Motor Dealers Association (BMDA) members saw their collective sales revenues fall by more than $75 million over the first 10 months of the years between 2009-2011, one dealer suggested yesterday, although

Public spending to rise 'less than 0.1% of GDP' via wage freeze end

Public spending to rise 'less than 0.1% of GDP' via wage freeze end Sub-Deck: * Gov't acknowledges major difference with IMF over 'timing and will for major tax reform' * Debt Management Committee set up to oversee Bahamas' fiscal position By NEIL HA

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Credit union member growth expands 29%

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Bahamian credit unions have outpaced commercial banks through an average total asset growth rate of 9.25 per cent over the past five years, the Central Bank's governor said yesterday, their collective membership h

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”.

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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.

De-risk 'client migration' to benefit larger banks

Correspondent bank 'de-risking' could drive another wave of Bahamian financial services consolidation by sparking "client migration" to larger institutions, a former finance minister has warned.

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'Madness': 90% of loan requests are consumer

The Bahamas' consumer loan "madness" is making sustainable economic development impossible, as more than nine out of every 10 credit applications fall into this category.

'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

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Gov't 'good faith' key to Brewery's 100-job growth

Sands Beer’s manufacturer yesterday said its planned $15 million growth strategy, which could more than double its workforce via the creation of “over 100” jobs in the next five-10 years, depends on the Government maintaining the ‘tax advantage’ it holds over its BISX-listed rival.

FNM deputy fears ‘bubble pop’ over infrastructure spend

The Government’s lack of investment in infrastructure will be “a bubble that pops” on the next administration, the Opposition’s finance spokesman warned yesterday, adding that this was contrary to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) advice.

'Little chance' to lower high debt, bad loan levels

The Central Bank of the Bahamas has admitted the current economic climate provides "little opportunity" to reduce high consumer debt and loan delinquency levels, with only 'qualified borrowers' able to access credit.

Bahamas faces more financial consolidation

Bahamas faces more financial consolidation By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor With 40 per cent of Swiss private banks eyeing foreign acquisition targets, a leading accountant yesterday predicted further consolidation in the Bahamian financial serv

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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.

'ENTHUSIASTIC' FAMILY ISLAND IPO RESPONSE

The Arawak Port Development Company (APD) said the response from potential Family Island investors to its $10 million initial public offering (IPO) had been enthusiastic, after its principals undertake a nationwide roadshow to tout the offering's prospect

'ENTHUSIASTIC' FAMILY ISLAND IPO RESPONSE

The Arawak Port Development Company (APD) said the response from potential Family Island investors to its $10 million initial public offering (IPO) had been enthusiastic, after its principals undertake a nationwide roadshow to tout the offering's prospect

'ENTHUSIASTIC' FAMILY ISLAND IPO RESPONSE

The Arawak Port Development Company (APD) said the response from potential Family Island investors to its $10 million initial public offering (IPO) had been enthusiastic, after its principals undertake a nationwide roadshow to tout the offering's prospect

Super Value chief: Prices up 2-3% with new Port

SUPER Value's owner yesterday warned the price of many grocery items is likely to increase by at least 2-3 per cent, having been told that freight rates will rise by 10 per cent due to the new/revised charges being imposed by the Arawak Cay Port.

IDB: $13M 'RETROACTIVE' TO STOP ROADWORKS SHUTDOWN

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor An alarmed Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is providing $13 million in retroactive financing to prevent a "cash flow shortfall" from bringing the New Providence Road Improvement Project to a temporary halt,

Florida court blocks $7.59m Bahamas ruling

A contractor’s bid to enforce a $7.59 million Bahamas Supreme Court judgment against a major global hotel chain has been blocked by a Florida appeals court, which ruled the latter was not involved in a $1 billion Bahamian joint venture.

BTC owner dismisses Cable’s mobile threat

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) controlling owner yesterday dismissed the competitive threat Cable Bahamas will pose if it wins the second cellular licence, saying it was “not a big player” when compared to the likes of Digicel.