All results / Stories / Neil Hartnell

BTC warns union on its 'long-term health'

BTC warns union on its 'long-term health' By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) last night reminded the trade unions representing its staff that it had to safeguard its "long-term health", since an unfavou

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

Banks to ‘double’ VAT recovery.... to just 10%

The Bahamian banking industry is hopeful it might be able to recover ‘double’ the amount of Value-Added Tax (VAT) inputs than previously thought, as one institution yesterday revealed its total tax burden will increase by $6-$7 million in two years.

'Early summer' start on $100m B Mar power plant

'Early summer' start on $100m B Mar power plant By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Some 75 persons will be employed at peak construction on Baha Mar's $100 million Seawater District Cooling (SDC) plant, Tribune Business was told yesterday, with bu

'Early summer' start on $100m B Mar power plant

'Early summer' start on $100m B Mar power plant By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor Some 75 persons will be employed at peak construction on Baha Mar's $100 million Seawater District Cooling (SDC) plant, Tribune Business was told yesterday, with bu

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.

Revived Mortgage Plan may assist ‘over 1,000’

The Government yesterday unveiled a revised Mortgage Relief Plan it believes could assist “upwards of 1,000 delinquent borrowers”, via a 20-25 per cent cut to monthly loan payments.

Kosoy, Sterling eye Hurricane Hole deal

David Kosoy’s Sterling Global Financial is in negotiations to acquire Paradise Island’s Hurricane Hole property from Atlantis’s owner, Tribune Business can reveal.

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

Bahamas breaks global standards with jet fuel tax

The Bahamas is breaching international standards by levying 7 per cent import duty on jet fuel, warns a report produced for the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

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

Tease photo

'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.

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,

Shareholder outrage over ‘no change’ BOB

Bank of the Bahamas shareholders yesterday reacted with outrage over the decision to nominate the existing Board of Directors for re-election, one demanding: “Where does the buck stop?”

Tease photo

Atlantis’s 4.5% Xmas rate rise beats hotel norm

Atlantis has seen a “quite substantial” 4.5 per cent year-over-year increase in average daily room rates (ADRs) for the upcoming peak Christmas/New Year season, a growth rate exceeding industry norms.

Bahamians urged: Show ‘more ‘outrage’ over financial crimes

BAHAMIANS were yesterday urged to show “more outrage” over financial crime and poor business practices, a prominent cleric arguing that these had become “entrenched in our culture”.

Development Bank fund ‘sinking’: Covers 1/3 of $46m bonds

* Just 28.4% of loans ‘performing’ * Accumulated losses over $60m * Solvency deficiency at $31.31m

THE Bahamas Development Bank’s (BDB) ‘sinking fund’ covered just one-third of its $46 million outstanding bond debt at year-end 2016, with only 28.4 per cent of its loans ‘performing’. The BDB’s 2016 financial statements, tabled in the House of Assembly in Wednesday by the Prime Minister, reveal the parlous state of another state-owned enterprise (SOE) that has racked up more than $60 million in losses for the Bahamian taxpayer during its 43-year existence.

SMALL BUSINESS BILL DISCUSSION TARGET BEFORE 2012 ELECTION

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A government minister says he is "reasonably certain" that broad consultation with stakeholders on the much-awaited Small and Medium-Sized Business (SME) Development Bill can be held prior to the general election,

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

'Mixed bag': Auto sales 50% off peak

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor A leading auto dealer believes the industry will "eventually" recover to levels comparable to its 2007 peak, despite 2011's new car sales being almost 50 per cent down on that banner period in what was described a