Bahamians warned: Brace for post-VAT delinquency cut-off
Bahamians must get used to companies increasingly cutting them off for non-payment due to Value-Added Tax’s (VAT) cash flow impact, a well-known businessman warned yesterday.
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.
Ex-BREA chief ‘not surprised’ by Smith ruling
A two-time former Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) president yesterday said he was “not surprised” at the verdict won by ex-minister George Smith, and renewed his call for the Association and Real Estate Board to be separate.
Five years until Credit Bureau is ‘meaningful’
Commonwealth Bank’s president yesterday said it could take up to five years for the proposed Credit Bureau to become a “meaningful tool” for commercial banks, due to the time required to build its database.
NHI: Gov’t warned on ‘significant error’
The Government is “making a significant error” over National Health Insurance (NHI) by allowing the initiative to become potentially “divisive”, a well-known businessman warned yesterday.
BEC managerial talks start today
The Government will today begin negotiations with PowerSecure International over the five-year Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) management contract, amid pledges that the deal will be overseen by “a non-partisan” Board.
Don’t wreck reputation with missing deadlines
Are you a ‘train wreck’ when faced with tight deadlines? If you are employed in marketing, design, web development or any other deadline-driven field, no doubt you have experienced snappy demands, postponements, obstacles, delays, distractions and all manner of commotions that can interfere with that very important project you have finally landed.
Bahamians overlook ‘significant progress’
Too many Bahamians are overlooking this nation’s “significant economic progress” because they are focusing on issues that “have not a Christ thing to do with sustainable development”, a leading businessman believes.
BREA ‘emergency’ on ex-minister’s legal win
The Bahamas Real Estate Association’s (BREA) Board will tomorrow hold “an emergency meeting” to determine its response to losing a legal battle with a former Cabinet Minister.
Bahamas ‘falls off map’ on Caribbean hospitality lending
The Bahamas has ‘dropped off the map’ among traditional bank lenders to the hotel/tourism industry, with this nation failing to feature among the top 10 Caribbean destinations for new lending.
Payroll tax unable to cover NHI
A 3 per cent payroll tax will not be sufficient to cover the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme’s total costs, the private sector yesterday warning that sticking to a January 2016 implementation will create a “challenging sprint to the finish”.
Gov’t wipes $7m Water Corp debt
The Government appears to have wiped out the $7 million accounts receivables owed by the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s main water supplier, which has praised it for doing so.
Baha Mar delay: ‘We’re all losers’
A leading businessman yesterday rounded on the “despicable critics” of Baha Mar’s principals, and said of the $3.5 billion project’s delayed opening: “We are all losers.”
US gives Cable growth ‘4 times’ that in Bahamas
Cable Bahamas yesterday said its US expansion had generated growth that would take three-four years to achieve in this market, having enjoyed an “immediate” 26 per cent top-line boost.
Gov’t braces for tax breaks legal battle
The Government was last night bracing for an outspoken QC’s latest Judicial Review salvo, after it missed his deadline to provide “an undertaking” that no decisions will be taken on Freeport’s tax and economic regime.
Freeport suggestions to Gov’t ‘in 2 weeks’
The Government will likely receive recommendations on Freeport’s short and long-term future within the next two weeks, the Opposition’s deputy leader yesterday calling for “quid pro quos” in return for extending the city’s tax breaks.
US judge slams broker chief’s ‘court disregard’
A Bahamian broker/dealer’s principal has been accused of “disregard for the court’s authority”, resulting in a New York judge blocking his bid to retreat from two multi-million dollar securities fraud lawsuits.
Union: No concern over BEC manager integrity
A BEC union leader yesterday said he had no concern over the integrity of its preferred management partner due to assurances given by the Government, telling Tribune Business: “It is what it is”.
Baha Mar’s expat hires told to leave
Baha Mar has told several expatriate hires to leave the Bahamas because construction delays mean there are no jobs for them to step into, amid suggestions it is seeking additional financing to complete the $3.5 billion project.
Gov’t agrees ‘few hundred thousand’ in VAT credits
The Government has approved “several hundred thousand dollars” of Value-Added Tax (VAT) credit refunds, a top official yesterday promising that businesses would not endure “a protracted wait” to receive them.
Broker warns Feds: 'I'll plead the Fifth'
A Bahamian broker/dealer's principal has warned US federal regulators that their efforts to obtain evidence from him over two alleged multi-million dollar securities frauds will be futile, as his lips will be sealed.
Superwash chief: VAT bites 12-14% off key products
A leading businessman says the Bahamian economy is stuck "in a funk" as Value-Added Tax's (VAT) full impact starts to bite, with sales in two of his key product categories down 12-14 per cent. Dionisio D'Aguilar, Superwash's president, told Tribune Business that the Bahamas desperately needed to change its attitude towards "rebooting the economy" and making it easier to conduct business.
BEC manager-elect slams 'fraud by hindsight' claim
The Bahamas Electricity Corporation's (BEC) prospective manager has dismissed as "fraud by hindsight" claims that it artificially inflated its stock price prior to a one-day wipe-out that erased $250 million in shareholder value.
Gov't warned: 'We can't take another shock' with NHI
The Government was yesterday warned that National Health Insurance (NHI) would not succeed without private sector buy-in, one executive warning: "The economy cannot take another shock." Edison Sumner, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation's (BCCEC) chief executive, told Tribune Business that an unsustainable NHI programme could have "catastrophic effects for a fragile economy" that was still bedding down Value-Added Tax (VAT).
BTC slammed with $1.581m fine over network outage
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) was last night hit with a $1.581 million fine for last March’s network outage, the sector regulator finding it did not take action to maintain a “functioning” communications system.
Litigation concern on Baha Mar delays
Fears were mounting yesterday that the continued delays to Baha Mar’s opening could spark litigation between the parties involved, a Caribbean tourism expert warning they had “better get their act together” to avoid lasting damage to the project and the Bahamas.
Local dive operators reject foreign ‘double tax’ offer
A foreign dive operator’s offer to pay double the legal charter fee has been rejected by his top Bahamian counterparts, who argue that this sum pales against the “30 per cent or more of revenue” that they pay in taxes.
WTO benefits: ‘Better appreciation’ needed
The Bahamas needs to better understand the costs and benefits associated with becoming a full World Trade Organisation (WTO) member, the Chamber of Commerce’s chairman yesterday warning it could not compromise its $8 billion economy to protect one industry.
‘Lessons must be learnt’ from Baha Mar’s chinese woe
Lessons must be learned from Baha Mar’s construction woes to ensure other Chinese-led investment projects avoid similar delays, a leading contractor yesterday noting the same company is poised to begin the British Colonial Hilton’s $200 million redevelopment.
Attorney demands promotional body for Grand Bahama
A leading Freeport attorney yesterday demanded that the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and Hutchison Whampoa be required to finance a Professional Marketing Organisation (PMO) to internationally promote what he described as “the forgotten island”.
QC: VAT rejected if no ‘value for money’
The Bahamian people will not accept Value-Added Tax (VAT) unless the Government convinces them they will receive “value for money” in return, a top QC warned yesterday.
Hotel union on gratuity ‘red alert’
The Bahamas Hotel Catering & Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) yesterday said it had placed its members on ‘red alert’, amid fears that other New Providence hotels will attempt to follow Baha Mar’s lead and eliminate the 15 per cent gratuity enjoyed by hotel employees.
VAT guidance notes undermine core financial sector policy
The Government’s “inconsistent” Value-Added Tax (VAT) positions are threatening to undermine core financial services policy objectives, a top QC warned yesterday, threatening a loss of competitiveness and high-value business.
AG’s Office: We bungled Blackbeard’s Cay appeal
The Attorney General’s Office has admitted that the Government’s appeal over the $8 million Blackbeard’s Cay project was thrown out because it was asleep on the job.
CIBC:‘No plans’ for further terminations
CIBC’s top Caribbean executive yesterday said the bank had “no plans” for any further major outsourcing of jobs from the Bahamas, emphasising it was targeting the retail and private wealth management segments for growth.
CIBC: Bahamas worst for ‘bad’ mortgages
CIBC’s top Caribbean executive yesterday revealed that the “magnitude” of non-performing home loans in the Bahamas was “greater than anywhere else” in the region, this nation accounting for 50 per cent of the bank’s ‘bad’ mortgages.
QC: Port requires ‘economic Viagra’
An outspoken QC yesterday urged the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) to “take a shot of Economic Viagra”, arguing that it had become a mere “collection agency” as opposed to a quasi-governmental developer.
Deloitte to collect $100m in ‘bad’ BOB commercial loans
The Government yesterday confirmed Tribune Business’s disclosure earlier this week that Deloitte & Touche has been selected as the accounting firm charged with collecting on $100 worth of ‘bad’ commercial loans formerly belonging to Bank of the Bahamas.
Ryan’s employer: Financial sector’s ‘great opportunity’
Ryan Pinder’s new employer believes the Bahamas has “a tremendous opportunity” in financial services if it is innovative, with its current recruitment drive intended to position the institution “for the next 20 years”.
Nassau world’s 5th most expensive city for hotel vacations
Nassau’s was yesterday ranked as the fifth most expensive city in the world for hotel accommodation, a finding that will further raise concern that this nation is slowly pricing itself out of the global tourism market.
Sir Jack tells QC: Put money where mouth is
A key Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) shareholder yesterday urged an outspoken QC to ‘put his money where his mouth is’ and find a buyer for the quasi-governmental entity.
PM says: ‘Make best of bad situation’ on VAT
A “very conciliatory” Prime Minister Perry Christie has urged the private sector to “make the most of a bad situation” on Value-Added Tax (VAT) and its implementation, Tribune Business can reveal.
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.
Cable slams ‘ill-timed’ INternet, TV price caps
Cable Bahamas warned regulators that their decision to impose price caps on its pay-TV and Internet services would be “ill-timed, intrusive and disproportionate”, arguing that these controls were unnecessary due to emerging competition.
Leading importers face ‘major’ VAT uncertainty
Major importers were yesterday said to be facing “major” uncertainty over how Customs will calculate duty rates post-January 1, a factor that is preventing them from making essential computer system adjustments.
Ex-minister files suit against BREA
A former PLP Cabinet Minister yesterday confirmed he had instructed his attorney to proceed with legal action against the Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) for publicly naming him among 70 realtors who had allegedly failed to pay their annual licence fees.
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?”
‘The s*** has hit the fan’
The Bahamian economy is paying the price for the Government’s “financial disasters” in attempting to run businesses, a leading executive blasting yesterday: “The s* has hit the fan.”
Broker blames SEC battle on regulator’s ‘inaction’
A Bahamian broker/dealer has blamed the Securities Commission’s “inaction” for creating its dispute with US regulators over their document production demands.
QC ‘awaits orders’ on Blackbeard’s Cay enforcement
A well-known QC is awaiting instructions from his environmental activist clients over how to enforce the judgment they obtained against the $8 million Blackbeard’s Cay project.