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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.
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.
$20M FIRE LOSSES 'UNPRECEDENTED'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A leading Bahamian general insurer yesterday said the pre-recession 60/40 split in its auto book had been reversed in favour of third party coverage, with 2011 an "unprecedented" year for large fire-related claims
OIL EXPLORER UNVEILS 'BAHAMIANISE' PLAN
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A Bahamas-based oil exploration company's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is expected to be released for public consultation on January 23 next year, the company also unveiling plans to "Bahamianise" through
Wind farm targets 2013 'commission'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A renewable energy provider is looking to "commission" its Eleuthera wind farm by early 2013, having invested $250,000 in completing the first project phase involving the construction of a Meteorological tower. Th
OECD attacks like ‘unofficial blacklisting’ of the Bahamas
A former finance minister says the recent OECD-inspired media onslaught against the Bahamas is akin to an “unofficial blacklisting” of its financial services industry, describing the situation as “a new form of international colonialism”.
BAHA MAR'S OCCUPANCIES 3-4% ABOVE FORECAST LEVEL
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor While occupancies at Baha Mar's two existing Cable Beach resorts are trending 3-4 per cent ahead of 2012 forecasts, the resort developer yesterday said they had yet to reach "levels considered acceptable", followi
PRIVATE SECTOR LOAN DEFAULTS HIT $301M
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Almost one-third of commercial bank loans to Bahamian businesses are in arrears, something the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation's (BCCEC) chairman described as a sign that economic recovery
$500M REVENUE RISE NO FISCAL GAP BRIDGE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Government's annual fiscal deficit averaged more than $170 million during the 2002-2008 'economic boom' years despite an almost $500 million rise in revenues over that period, showing that reining in out-of-co
WATER CORP DISCONNECTS 5,400 IN '11
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A net 5,435 customers were disconnected by the Water & Sewerage Corporation for non-payment in 2011, data supplied to Tribune Business reveals, even though reconnections reached their highest level for five years.
INSURANCE BROKERS: OVER 25% TO 'FALL OFF'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor More than 25 per cent of all existing Bahamian insurance brokers and agents are unlikely to be licensed under the new Act governing the sector, the Insurance Commission told Tribune Business yesterday. Arvind Bagh
THE 'BAHAMIAN DREAM' HAS SOURED FOR SO MANY
Anyone who reads the local newspapers cannot help but notice the large number of distressed Bahamian homes advertised for sale by banks under their mortgage powers. Never before in the history of the Bahamas have so many families suffered the humiliation,
ROYALSTAR INVESTORS GET '200% PAY OUT'
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor RoyalStar Assurance is expecting to generate a $2-$3 million net profit for 2011 despite enduring a tough year, its managing director yesterday saying the company had to-date "paid out almost 200 per cent" of the
BAHAMAS AT 'TOP OF PACK' ON WEALTH MANAGEMENT
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Revised legislation will leave the Bahamas "at the top of the pack" among Caribbean financial centres when it comes to private wealth management, the Attorney General told Tribune Business yesterday. Lauding amend
PM 'elated' over 75% Our Lucaya occupancy level
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Prime Minister said he was "elated" upon learning that Our Lucaya's current occupancy levels were at 75 per cent, adding that an owner other than Hutchison Whampoa would likely have closed the Freeport resort.
RENEWABLE ENERGY 'AMAZING CHANCE' FOR DIVERSIFICATION
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas has an "incredible opportunity" to diversify its economy by becoming a renewable energy exporter, a leading Caribbean expert yesterday saying it could emulate Israel's 92 per cent penetration rate if i
'SERIOUS' CUSTOMS WOES UNDERMINING FDI, TRADE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Customs Department's "serious institutional and operational limitations", particularly an information management system more than 20 years-old, are undermining the Bahamas' trade competitiveness and ability "t
'SERIOUS' CUSTOMS WOES UNDERMINING FDI, TRADE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Customs Department's "serious institutional and operational limitations", particularly an information management system more than 20 years-old, are undermining the Bahamas' trade competitiveness and ability "t
BAHAMIANS QUALIFY AS SANDALS BUTLERS
Nine Bahamians last week graduated from training at The Guild of Professional English Butlers, part of a move by Sandals Royal Bahamian to expand its butler staff. Some 21 butler rooms in its newly renovated Balmoral Towers will come on line soon. Patrick
BAHAMIANS QUALIFY AS SANDALS BUTLERS
Nine Bahamians last week graduated from training at The Guild of Professional English Butlers, part of a move by Sandals Royal Bahamian to expand its butler staff. Some 21 butler rooms in its newly renovated Balmoral Towers will come on line soon. Patrick
