Natural resources: New fiscal regime under development
The Government is working with the Commonwealth Secretariat to finalise a new fiscal regime for the mining of sand, aragonite and other Bahamian natural resources, the Minister of the Environment and Housing said yesterday.
MSC deal to give Bahamian company ‘widest ever smile’
The Bahamian leaseholder of Ocean Cay will have “the biggest smiles ever” as a result of the deal that will see Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) take over the island for its $100 million cruise port.
ICTs cited as ‘enabler’ for sustainable cities
Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) can be used as ‘enablers’ to tackle environmental challenges and build sustainable cities, an adviser to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) said yesterday.
‘Bleak’ Xmas start for many retailers
Bahamian retailers yesterday described early Christmas season sales as “slow” and “bleak”, but expressed optimism they will see a major pick-up over the next week.
PI condo complex beats sale forecast
The owner of the former Ocean Place condominium complex on Paradise Island yesterday said it plans to bring 32 units to market by March 2016, telling Tribune Business initial sales had been “better than anticipated”.
ICTs have ‘key role’ in sustainable development
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have a “critical role” to play in ensuring sustainable development, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) policy director believes.
PI condo owner was ‘close’ on other deals
The former Ocean Place condo complex’s new owner yesterday said it had taken a “hard look” at several projects in the Abacos, and had come close to “a couple of deals”.
App founders target full mobile commerce
The founders of a recently-launched mobile application which provides one-click access to commercial, Government and non-profit organisation communication channels, aim to eventually offer full mobile commerce.
VAT to raise health insurance payments $40-$100 per month
Bahamian workers could see their contributions to employer-sponsored health insurance plans increase by between $40 to $100 per month once premiums are subjected to Value-Added Tax (VAT) from July 1.
PM promises developers partnership on air access
Two government ministries will support Eleuthera resort developers to ensure there is sufficient air access to the island in accord with international standards, the Prime Minister has said.
Insurers unhappy at Gov’t ‘neglect’
The Bahamas Insurance Association’s (BIA) chairman says the industry believes the Government has neglected it, as there are numerous long-standing legal and policy issues it is still battling to resolve.
Cotton Bay developer: ‘Open up’ work permits
Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday said the developers behind the proposed Four Seasons resort project at Cotton Bay had asked the Government to “open up on work permits”, so the development could maintain the brand’s standards.
$8.3m contract to aid Road Traffic revenue
THE Government yesterday signed an $8.3 million contract to modernise the Road Traffic Department, as it bids to improve customer service and maximise revenue.
Union leader calls for Productivity Council
A leading trade unionist has called for the creation of a tripartite National Productivity Council, arguing that the Bahamian education was “designed for students to fail”.
Education reform first step in ‘skills gap’ fight
CURRICULUM reform in the school system should be the first step in tackling this nation’s ‘skills gap’, a veteran educator arguing that the education system must shift to a model that requires all students to meet a certain standard before they can obtain a high school diploma.
‘Great Bahamian story’ if Baha Mar opens quickly
The private sector remains “hopeful” that the Baha Mar development will open later this year, a Chamber executive said yesterday, adding that the $3.5 billion project will transform into a “great Bahamian story” if its current woes can be resolved quickly.
Industrial system frustrates unions
THERE is “no question” that the present industrial relations system is set up to frustrate the Bahamian trade union movement, as one leader renewed his call for a united labour front.
Three-year recognition is ‘vexing’ trade unions
Union recognition is taking a “vexing” three years to complete, a leading trade unionist says, rather than the desired three months.
Renewable firm backs BEC reform structure
The proposer of a $650 million waste-to-energy plant yesterday backed the Government’s decision not to break the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) into two, and instead select a management company to operate it.
LOI made $650m waste plant ‘political football’
The company behind the $650 million waste-to-energy proposal at the centre of last year’s Letter of Intent (LoI) controversy yesterday said it had been treated as “a political football”, which “turned a positive into a negative” and damaged its bid to secure financing.
LOI controversy firm’s ‘big chance’ to revive project
The company at the centre of the Letter of Intent (LoI) controversy over its proposed $650 million waste-to-energy plant yesterday said PowerSecure International’s selection as BEC manager gives it a “huge opportunity” to revive the project.
Relays give Atlantis 4,700 nights boost
The IAAF World Relays generated 4,700 occupied room nights for Atlantis, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday, with the event attracting more than 1,400 visitors to the Bahamas.
Climate change exacerbates Bahamas’ major challenges
CLIMATE change is exacerbating the Bahamas’ challenges with food security, water scarcity and energy security, the Prime Minister said yesterday, over an issue that threatens this nation’s land mass.
Union shows ‘Job’s patience’ with BTC
Executives at the trade union representing the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) line staff yesterday said they had displayed “Job’s patience”, accusing management of stalling negotiations on a new industrial agreement.
Bahamasair to unveil new fleet 'within 30 days'
Bahamasair expects to unveil the "change-out" of its Dash-8 dominated aircraft fleet within the next 30 days, a move it hopes will slash maintenance and operational costs.
Nassau/PI urged to tackle tourism risks
New product development, climate change and the creation of a cultural and natural heritage mapping data base have been identified as priority risk areas that will be addressed over the next 12-months by the Nassau/Paradise Island tourism industry, in response to a sustainable destination assessment.
Long Island is ‘like nation’s step child’
Long Island feels “like the step child of the Bahamas”, its Chamber of Commerce president yesterday warning an absence of growth and infrastructure is forcing businesses to close down.
FNM deputy queries quality of Baha Mar building materials
The Opposition’s deputy leader yesterday expressed concern over Baha Mar slamming China State Construction, the lead contractor for its $3.5 billion development, and questioned whether there were material quality issues as well.
Baha Mar: No gratuity deal in 10 months
Baha Mar yesterday said it had been forced to cease the normal 15 per cent gratuity payments at the Meliá Nassau Beach Resort, after 10 months of negotiations failed to reach an agreement with the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) on a new arrangement.
Excise Tax snafu stymies start-up's 60 hires plan
A Bahamian-owned tobacco manufacturing start-up said yesterday it would pursue legal action as a “last resort” if it is unable to obtain an Excise Tax exemption on domestic sales, adding that its business model had been thrown “totally out of whack”.
'Internal brain drain'costs Bahamas $3.5bn
The Bahamas is losing nearly $3.5 billion to the “internal brain drain” caused by low worker productivity, a well-known eye doctor yesterday arguing this was having a greater economic impact than the loss of 61 per cent of tertiary-educated Bahamians to jobs abroad.
Atlantis owner eyes 'significant' 5-year investment programme
The Atlantis resort’s owner is looking to invest a “significant sum” in a five-year capital expenditure plan for the Paradise Island resort, having pronounced itself “quite excited” to have completed the $1.9 billion refinancing.
'Seven digit' Atlantisinvestment delayed bygaming reform wait
Atlantis’s top executive yesterday said its planned multi-million dollar, “seven digit” investment in private gaming rooms was being delayed by the wait for casino gaming reforms to be passed.
Maritime marriage revenues beating forecasts by 20%
Maritime mariages on Bahamian-registered vessels have generated 20 per cent more revenue than projected for 2014 to-date, the Attorney General telling Tribune Business that this nation has been approached by all the major cruise lines over this venture.
Christie: Public funds used to buy votes
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party leader Perry Christie yesterday accused the government of using public funds to get votes.
Call for orderly behaviour during elections
POLITICIANS have renewed calls for civil and orderly behaviour during elections after a supporter spit at the wife of a party leader.
Union: City Markets behind over payroll
Union: City Markets behind over payroll By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net THE union representing City Markets workers has said it would welcome the sale of the struggling food store chain if it meant saving jobs, o
GDP boost from raising Bahamas' 60% net access
GDP boost from raising Bahamas' 60% Net access By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net LESS than 60 per cent of Bahamian homes have Internet access, the Bahamas Telecommunications Company's (BTC) chief executive has said
$10m Port IPO hits the road
The roadshow for Arawak Cay Port Development's (APD) $10 million initial public offering (IPO), which kicked off last week, has received significant public interest, the company says. APD began the meetings at the Harry C Moore Library in Nassau, and the
Bahamas could get marketplace again in 2013
By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas could play host to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's (CHTA) Caribbean Marketplace summit again next year, the organisation's president, Josef Forstmayr told
GOVT LIKELY TO SELL 40% PORT EQUITY STAKE
By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham yesterday said he expects the Government to eventually sell its 40 per cent stake in Arawak Cay Port Development Company (APD), allowing the Nassau Co
'LOT OF ABUSE' IN WELFARE SYSTEM
By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net The Bahamas' social security system has been subjected to "a lot of abuse", the minister responsible has admitted, acknowledging that welfare assistance was not always being given t
Business to take roadworks battle to Privy Council
By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net BUSINESS owners who took the Government to court over Baillou Hill Road and Market Street's transformations into one-way streets say they plan on taking their case to the Privy Coun
Airline '90% complete' on $4.5-$5M project
By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net WESTERN Air chief executive, Rex Rolle, said yesterday that construction on the airline's new terminal and maintenance facility in Freeport is "about 90 per cent" complete, telling
BTC TARGETS 70-75% LOCAL RETAIL OWNERS
By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net The Bahamas Telecommunications Company's (BTC) retail expansion is expected to generate significant entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamians, its chief executive telling Tribune
FIRM MULLS LEGAL FIGHT ON URCA LICENCE REVOCATION
By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net A GRAND Bahama businessman said yesterday he is considering whether to pursue legal action against the Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA) "as a matter of principle"
UNION 'VIGILANT' ON ATLANTIS JOBS
By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net The Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) yesterday said it continued to remain vigilant over the employment situation at Atlantis following Brookfield Asset Man
Retailers target 'exciting' Xmas
By NATARIO McKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN retailers told Tribune Business yesterday that they expect an 'exciting Christmas', with customer traffic expected to increase substantially in the coming days. The Christm
BTC targets 70-75% local retail owners
BTC targets 70-75% local retail owners Sub-Deck: * Eyeing 40-50 as owned and managed by Bahamians * Investing $8-$10m in retail roll-out that will add two-three outlets per month * Could have up to 65 locations File Pics of Geoff Houston, BTC By NATAR
CUSTOMS TARGETS NON- COMPLIANCE ON BOND GOODS
Customs is cracking down on Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) licensees who fail to submit regular reports to it on bonded goods purchases, Tribune Business was told yesterday. Aiming to eliminate tax evasion and fraud, the Department said licensees wish
