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.
QC demands new Port ownership
A well-known QC has called for new ownership and management at the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), arguing that this is a major reason for Freeport’s “listlessness”.
Broker ‘in peril’ if it meets US demands
A Bahamian broker/dealer will “act at its peril” should it comply with US federal regulators’ demands to produce thousands of documents relevant to their ongoing New York legal battle.
Gov’t urged: Don’t lose momentum on ‘sole tax panacea’
The Government has been urged to set a date for the Central Revenue Agency’s (CRA) creation, the Tax Coalition’s chair fearing that momentum on a tax compliance “panacea” may be lost.
Bimini Bay facing homeowners revolt
The Bimini Bay Resort is facing a homeowners revolt in the Supreme Court, with multiple purchasers voicing concerns over how their properties and multi-million dollar maintenance fee sums are being managed.
PM 'in la la land' on Bimini as top PPP
A well-known QC yesterday said Prime Minister Prime Minister Perry Christie was “living in la la land” to tout the Resorts World Bimini development as the best example of a successful public-private sector partnership (PPP).
US gov't report 'tremendous blow' to FDI attraction
US government criticisms have dealt “a tremendous blow” to the Bahamas’ prospects of attracting increased foreign direct investment (FDI) at a time when this nation most needs it, the Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader said yesterday.
Ansbacher in $2myacht lien battle
Ansbacher (Bahamas) is seeking to recover more than $2 million owed by a delinquent borrower by foreclosing on, and selling, his multi-million dollar yacht.
Illegal netting threatens $1.5m bonefish investment
A Long Island bonefishing lodge owner says his $1.5 million investment and six jobs are being jeopardised by illegal netting, which threatens to “wipe out” the industry within the next five years.
Gov't 'dragging on everything'
The Tax Coalition’s co-chair yesterday said there ad been no contact with the Government since the Budget’s unveiling more than a month ago, complaining that the Christie administration was “dragging their feet on everything” vital to the private sector.
Lyford Cay Club in $17m shopping centre purchase
The Lyford Cay Club is moving to close a $17 million deal to acquire its old shopping centre from New Providence Development Company, with plans to convert it into a mixed-use retail, residential and marina project.
Atlantis eyes 100k extra room nights in Marriott tie-up
Atlantis is hoping its 10-year franchise deal with Marriott International will generate an extra 50,000-100,000 room nights per year, its top executive describing the agreement as “the most significant tourism stimulus for the Bahamas this decade”.
'Five Baha Mars' needed to solve jobless crisis
The Bahamas needs “five Baha Mars going on” simultaneously to achieve the 5.5 per cent GDP growth necessary to slash existing unemployment by 50 per cent and absorb thousands of annual school leavers into the workforce.
Trade deficit narrows 9.7%
The Bahamas experienced a 9.7 per cent drop in its trade deficit to $2.554 billion in 2013, largely due to an almost-$300 million fall in its import bill.
Atlantis 'savours' $1.9bn refinance
Atlantis was yesterday said to be “savouring” its completed $1.9 billion debt refinancing, its owner having invested some $500 million in the property since taking control two years ago.
ICON-ic product puts Fund administrators 'more on the hook'
While Bahamian fund administrators will be “much more on the hook” than with similar structures, a senior industry executive says the “rewards” from an ICON-ic launch will be worth the risk.
Bank braces for $2.4m tax impact
Bank of the Bahamas is bracing for a $2.4 million fourth quarter hit from the 3 per cent ‘bank tax’ unveiled in the 2013-2014 Budget, its managing director yesterday expressing “cautious optimism” it would return to profitability in its 2015 financial year.
‘No doubt over VAT chaos’ on January 1
A well-known businessman yesterday said he had “no doubt” the Government will be unable to seamlessly implement Value-Added Tax (VAT) come January 1, suggesting “chaos” would result from failing to promptly educate the private sector.
'No doubt over VAT chaos' on January 1
A well-known businessman yesterday said he had “no doubt” the Government will be unable to seamlessly implement Value-Added Tax (VAT) come January 1, suggesting “chaos” would result from failing to promptly educate the private sector.
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.
QC urges 19% top earners income tax
A well-known QC yesterday urged the Bahamas to implement a 17-19 per cent income tax on persons earning over $50,000-$75,000 annually, arguing that fears of widespread evasion were overblown.
Gov't pledges to bridge 30k home digital divide
The Government's long-awaited Electronic Communications Sector policy pledges to bridge the 'Digital Divide' that has left 30,000 Bahamian households without broadband Internet, deeming this essential for "further and faster" economic growth.
RoyalFidelity's fund with 'different angle'
RoyalFidelity is planning to launch an “alternative” US$ fund this summer that aims to minimise market volatility risk, a move coinciding with the maturing of another product forecast to generate 50 per cent investor returns.
Port's 25% growth hides missed trade potential
Freeport is failing to attract “a wider range” of businesses and become a true logistics/distribution hub, despite the Container Port outstripping all Caribbean rivals with 25 per cent cargo throughput growth.
Gov't urged: End 'ridiculous foot dragging' on BEC
The Government has been urged to end its "ridiculous foot dragging" over the Bahamas Electricity Corporation's (BEC) part-privatisation and wider energy reform, as the private sector readies its own study on the issue.
BEC survives a fuel ‘emergency’
The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) suffered an “emergency situation” on Wednesday night after it almost ran out of fuel due to bad weather disrupting shipping.
RoyalFidelity funds enjoy $10m injection
RoyalFidelity Merchant Bank & Trust yesterday said investors had injected a collective $10 million into its three-strong domestic mutual fund family for the year to end-May 2014, aided by the low interest rate “perfect storm”.
‘Past desperation’ on vehicle title system
Bahamian auto dealers yesterday expressed hope that proposed Road Traffic Department reforms will ultimately result in a vehicle titling system, one telling Tribune Business its creation was “past desperation point”.
Gov’t told: Don’t adjust tariffs at ‘last minute’
The Government was yesterday warned it has one month to inform auto dealers about whether the industry’s Excise Tax rates will be lowered to compensate for Value-Added Tax (VAT), otherwise it may see revenue generated by the sector drop-off in the New Year.
Rival Bahamian bidders in fight for last Gov’t hotel
Rival Bahamian-led bids with strong Andros connections are battling to acquire the last government-owned hotel, Tribune Business can reveal, with at least one proposal focusing on eco-tourism. Prescott Smith, owner of Stafford Creek Lodge, confirmed to Tribune Business that he was heading one group seeking to buy the Fresh Creek-based Lighthouse Club from the Government-owned Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas.
VAT readiness: PM warned that 'Clock ticking'
Prime Minister Perry Christie has been warned that “the clock is ticking” on the private sector’s Value-Added Tax (VAT) readiness, a Tax Coalition co-chair yesterday calling for the revised legislation and regulations to be published “as soon as possible”.
‘No guarantees’ for web shops
Web shop operators were yesterday said to be “very concerned” over the uncertainty and lack of any guarantees surrounding the industry’s impending legalisation.
Gov't accounting switch 'fantastic'
The Government’s planned switch to an accrual financial reporting system has been praised as “fantastic”, a leading accountant arguing it will boost accountability and improve Budget planning.
Gov't 'good faith' key to Brewery's 100-job growth
Sands Beer’s manufacturer yesterday said its planned $15 million growth strategy, which could more than double its workforce via the creation of “over 100” jobs in the next five-10 years, depends on the Government maintaining the ‘tax advantage’ it holds over its BISX-listed rival.
Casino reforms keep expat resident bar
The Government’s decision not to allow permanent residents and work permit holders to gamble in Bahamian casinos is a “miniscule” issue that will not delay much-needed reform, a tourism industry executive said yesterday.
Union chief seeks 100-133% increase in minimum wage
The Trade Union Congress’s (TUC) president yesterday backed a 100-133 per cent increase in the Bahamas’ minimum wage, describing this as “reasonable”.
TUC chief: ‘jury still out’ on union-saving legislation
A trade union leader said yesterday that “the jury is still out” on whether the Government’s recent union-saving had truly “cured the mischief”, as one attorney confirmed he had filed for a Judicial Review over the issue.
Pension providers enjoy ‘significant’ 100% inquiry rise
Pension plan administrators yesterday said they had seen a 100 per cent increase in employer inquiries over the past 12 months, describing the surge as “significant” given existing low participation levels.
QC: Don’t reward $35m Nygard ‘law breaking’
The Government was yesterday urged not to reward two decades of alleged law-breaking by approving Peter Nygard’s new development applications, a well-known QC suggesting he had seized land worth $35 million without permission.
12 union-saving law creates a ‘win-win’
The Government’s recent 12 union-saving legislation helped produce what one labour executive yesterday described as a “win-win” in the Court of Appeal, with a Harbour Island resort and its opposition both achieving their main objectives.
BISX: Majority of stocks don’t move more than 5%
The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) has “consistently” found evidence to support its method for calculating share prices, with most companies’ stocks never moving more than 5 per cent from the previous day’s close.
Baha Mar 'close' to $150m spend on Bahamians
BAHA Mar is "close" to investing $150 million with Bahamian contractors for its Cable Beach redevelopment, as it prepares to today launch the $2.6 billion project's 300 luxury Residences to high net-worth buyers from across the world in London.
Bimini Big Game unveils new logo
THE Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina's owners have unveiled as new logo design that will represent the 51-room property in all future marketing and branding initiatives.
$225m World Mart principals 'very encouraged' over Chinese meetings
ONCE of the principals behind the proposed $225 million trade market proposed for Freeport yesterday told Tribune Business they were "very encouraged" by the outcome of meetings with China-based strategic partners, and hoped to engage the new PLP government over a Heads of Agreement for the project shortly.
Brewery unveils'strong Q1' with44% profits rise
Commonwealth Brewery is today unveiling a "strong first quarter" for 2012 with net income up 44.2 per cent year-over-year, its management team telling Tribune Bus
Car Show 'bounce' in 83-100% sales growth
BAHAMIAN new car dealers yesterday revealed that the Car Show "bounce" appeared to have returned in 2012, with April's sales up between 83-100 per cent month-over-month compared to March.
'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.
Sky Bahamas chiefs deny share allegation
SKY Bahamas' principals yesterday told Tribune Business they completely "deny" allegations by a former executive of the airline that they conspired to squeeze him out of his equity stake in the company, and recorded incorrect shareholdings in the Companies Registry.
AML chair: City Markets deal 'kept changing'
AML Foods chairman yesterday said its efforts to acquire City Markets' remaining business fell apart because the latter's principal, Mark Finlayson, "kept changing the terms of the deal" on a daily basis, and had nothing to do with the BISX-listed food retail group refusing to take on the chain's staff.
GB Power minimises $4.7m recovery effect
GB Power minimises $4.7m recovery effect By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor The Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) has received regulatory approval to minimise the consumer impact of recovering a $4.7 million impairment charge by spreading it out o