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Port slammed for VAT ‘chip away’ at Hawksbill deal

An outspoken QC yesterday threatened legal action against the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) for levying Value-Added Tax (VAT) on his firm’s licence fee, accusing it of complicity in the Government’s efforts “to chip away” at Freeport’s founding agreement.

Gov’t urged: Set end-June deadline for Baha Mar sale

The Government was yesterday urged to set an end-June 2016 deadline for Baha Mar’s auction to start, an ex-director for the project describing himself as “amazed” at the subsequent deal granted to its main contractor.

Joaquin requests up to 25 times Rebuild’s limit

The Rebuild Bahamas hurricane relief fund has received funding applications up to 25 times’ greater than the maximum it can provide per business, Tribune Business has been told.

Dive operator slams ‘insulting’ association

A foreign-based dive operator is blaming his decision not to renew his Bahamas Diving Association (BDA) membership on “inflammatory and insulting” statements by its leadership, adding that his business pays the Government more than $50,000 annually.

Visitor arrivals match 2019 record in first nine months

Total visitor arrivals for the first nine months of 2023 have equalled pre-COVID’s 2019 full-year record of 7.2m, it was revealed yesterday, with hotel room rates almost 60 percent higher.

Spanish Wells ‘dissed’ over cruise call plans

Spanish Wells’ chief councillor yesterday said there is “no turning back” on the community’s opposition to Crystal Cruises, adding that residents felt “dissed” by both the Government and the cruise line.

Bran: New taxes ‘won’t dig us out’ of Matthew hole

The Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader yesterday warned the Government not to “dig yourself out of the hole” left by Hurricane Matthew through further taxing Bahamians, adding: “We cannot afford it.”

‘Bottom up’ growth call over $12bn GDP target

The Government was yesterday urged to grow the Bahamian economy from the ‘bottom up’ through small business development, a leading consultant suggesting this nation needed to increase annual GDP to $12 billion to escape its looming fiscal crisis.

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Realtors: ‘wow impact’ from Duty cut to 6%

Top realtors have urged the Government to cut Stamp Duty rates to 6 per cent “across the board” in order to have a “wow impact” in stimulating the housing market and wider Bahamian economy.

Hard Rock, Resorts World eye GB casino

The Minister of Tourism yesterday expressed relief that top-tier brands were “finally” eyeing Freeport’s solitary casino, with both Hard Rock and Genting’s Resorts World format looking at taking over the property’s management.

Outstanding VAT issues ‘more important’ than Appeals body

Resolving all remaining points of potential Value-Added Tax (VAT) confusion is “more important” than the Appeals Commission’s appointment, the Tax Coalition’s chairman yesterday suggesting too little progress was being made on the former.

Mail boat woes 'unacceptable in the 21st century'

MAIL boat practices are creating further hardship for Family Island economies, a Chamber of Commerce executive yesterday warning: “This is not acceptable in the 21st century.”Roderick Simms, chair of the Chamber’s Family Island division, told Tribune

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Nassau airport targets 1,448-acre expansion

The Lynden Pindling International Airport’s (LPIA) operator has obtained 1,448 acres from the government for future runway expansion after recording its first-ever annual profit at $7.755m.The Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), in its 2019 ann

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David Nesbitt making moves in the pro ranks

NATIONAL basketball team stalwart David Nesbitt is on the move again at the professional level. The 25-year-old forward has been a key component for his new club in Uruguay’s Liga Uruguaya de Básquetbo (LUB), Goes Montevideo.

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Baha Mar to close on March 25 until further notice – temporary layoffs for nonessential staff

Baha Mar will close until further notice starting March 25 at 3pm, with a temporary layoff of all nonessential staff.

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Call for Caribbean to adopt HIV self-testing

ON the occasion of World AIDS Day, Caribbean AIDS response stakeholders are calling for countries in the region to adopt HIV self-testing.

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Super Value to ‘terminate’ if COVID rules disobeyed

Super Value has warned its 1,000-strong workforce they “will face termination” if caught disobeying COVID-19 protocols, its principal warning yesterday: “We cannot go back into lockdown.”

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Bahamians begin trek to the CCAA title berth

BAHAMIAN basketball players at the collegiate level in Canada began seasons in their respective conferences this month and began their trek toward a CCAA National Championship Tournament berth. Samson Cleare has taken on a greater role with the Nort

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Fidelity's loan portfolio 'better than pre-Dorian'

A BISX-listed bank’s loan book has performed “better post-Dorian” than before the storm, a top executive revealed last night, adding that it has set an initial $26m profit target for full-year 2020.Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief financial

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St John’s senior boys top Comets 44-43 to win title

The Giants overcame a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat the Queen’s College Comets 44-43 and sweep the best-of-three series.