All results / Stories / Neil Hartnell
Trade deficit narrows 9.7%
The Bahamas experienced a 9.7 per cent drop in its trade deficit to $2.554 billion in 2013, largely due to an almost-$300 million fall in its import bill.
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”.
Atlantis 'savours' $1.9bn refinance
Atlantis was yesterday said to be “savouring” its completed $1.9 billion debt refinancing, its owner having invested some $500 million in the property since taking control two years ago.
‘No doubt over VAT chaos’ on January 1
A well-known businessman yesterday said he had “no doubt” the Government will be unable to seamlessly implement Value-Added Tax (VAT) come January 1, suggesting “chaos” would result from failing to promptly educate the private sector.
Baha Mar avoids damages on $10m 'credit letter'
Baha Mar has reached a legal settlement that prevents a former hotel partner seeking specific damages against it for trying to draw down a $10 million Letter of Credit, although arbitration proceedings remain alive.
'No doubt over VAT chaos' on January 1
A well-known businessman yesterday said he had “no doubt” the Government will be unable to seamlessly implement Value-Added Tax (VAT) come January 1, suggesting “chaos” would result from failing to promptly educate the private sector.
Port's 25% growth hides missed trade potential
Freeport is failing to attract “a wider range” of businesses and become a true logistics/distribution hub, despite the Container Port outstripping all Caribbean rivals with 25 per cent cargo throughput growth.
RoyalFidelity funds enjoy $10m injection
RoyalFidelity Merchant Bank & Trust yesterday said investors had injected a collective $10 million into its three-strong domestic mutual fund family for the year to end-May 2014, aided by the low interest rate “perfect storm”.
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.
Pension providers enjoy ‘significant’ 100% inquiry rise
Pension plan administrators yesterday said they had seen a 100 per cent increase in employer inquiries over the past 12 months, describing the surge as “significant” given existing low participation levels.
QC: Don’t reward $35m Nygard ‘law breaking’
The Government was yesterday urged not to reward two decades of alleged law-breaking by approving Peter Nygard’s new development applications, a well-known QC suggesting he had seized land worth $35 million without permission.
BISX: Majority of stocks don’t move more than 5%
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) has “consistently” found evidence to support its method for calculating share prices, with most companies’ stocks never moving more than 5 per cent from the previous day’s close.
Baha Mar 'close' to $150m spend on Bahamians
BAHA Mar is "close" to investing $150 million with Bahamian contractors for its Cable Beach redevelopment, as it prepares to today launch the $2.6 billion project's 300 luxury Residences to high net-worth buyers from across the world in London.
Car Show 'bounce' in 83-100% sales growth
BAHAMIAN new car dealers yesterday revealed that the Car Show "bounce" appeared to have returned in 2012, with April's sales up between 83-100 per cent month-over-month compared to March.
'Almost $900m' raised on LPIA redevelopment
THE Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) yesterday told Tribune Business it had now raised "almost $900 million" via six separate financial transactions, having just closed the final $225 million round to fund Lynden Pindling International Airport's (LPIA) $409.5 million redevelopment.
Sky Bahamas chiefs deny share allegation
SKY Bahamas' principals yesterday told Tribune Business they completely "deny" allegations by a former executive of the airline that they conspired to squeeze him out of his equity stake in the company, and recorded incorrect shareholdings in the Companies Registry.
AML chair: City Markets deal 'kept changing'
AML Foods chairman yesterday said its efforts to acquire City Markets' remaining business fell apart because the latter's principal, Mark Finlayson, "kept changing the terms of the deal" on a daily basis, and had nothing to do with the BISX-listed food retail group refusing to take on the chain's staff.
BTC to complete Abaco cell overhaul in mid-May
THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is set to complete its wireless system overhaul on Abaco and the northern Bahamas by mid-May, giving customers improved cellular service, including faster speeds for downloads and browsing on smart phones.
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.
Roberts: Abaco interests up 11%
SUPER Value's owner has told Tribune Business that Abaco has proven "more resilient" to the global recession than any other Bahamas island, with his interests on the island seeing an 11 per cent increase in business year-over-year.
