Yeah, this definitely seems like another step towards corporate income taxes. The extension is definitely welcomed. Once you have access to the portal, the submission of information is really not that complicated (takes less than 10 minutes). The issue is that communication on new filing requirements could have been significantly better. There was all this fanfare about penny gone, budget updates, COVID-19 changes related to MOF, etc...but Substance Reporting didn't get sufficient publicity. Considering how many businesses the rules directly impacted MOF should take some responsibility for ensuring stakeholders were well informed. The extension is welcomed!

Yup. I agree that needs to happen as well.

Honestly, I don't see why this needed any additional pomp & pageantry. Any Bahamian that has ever won winnings while vacationing in Las Vegas is taxed. The tax on winnings is standard in many jurisdictions (for locals AND foreign visitors). Just implement it and keep it moving. This should have been a standard application from the onset.

Sure, that's a concern. However, it's not something that should derail the entire prospect of developing this industry in The Bahamas. On the scale of SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), it is a possible threat. However, this is where we do things to mitigate the threat or find other avenues to ensure the way forward can still proceed. Sooooooo respectfully Mr. Bowe, let's not lead with fearmongering. Let's lead with action.

"Read the Room" on this one gents. Start making the "serious decisions" now, because when you are allowed to re-open, it will not stop the continued losses. On a global scale, the entire Entertainment industry is facing huge losses. A quick google search can reveal just how bad it is. When the larger markets like Canada and the US start to recover, then add an additional to 8 months for The Bahamas' entertainment industry to recover. Movie theatres aren't an essential need for challenged disposal income budgets. Most folks could justify a gym membership over the movies (because at least their boosting their health during the process). Start making those tough decisions NOW. This will be a long ride.

I appreciate the journalist offering investigative content in this article. By identifying that other grocery stores were able to get rid of their bags in time for the complete ban, it indicates that Mr Roberts should have been able to as well. Sufficient time was given to that effect (COVID or no COVID). We can't blame everything on this virus. all stores (remember it's not just foodstores that offer plastic bags), appear to have had sufficient time.

THIS! This so desperately needs to be addressed. This is stifling any substantial progress for our country to seek gains in the expansion of technology-driven businesses both locally and abroad. Internet fees are ridiculous compared to the rest of the region.

“We advised Mr Woods that we cannot provide transportation at this time, due to the cost involved and that we are looking at all ways to preserve jobs. "

From that one line, it sounds like the hotel sought to temporarily suspend a particular service as opposed to permanently terminating more employees than they already have. I really don't see what more there is to discuss here outside of their initial communication with Mr Woods. Why would he need a 'lengthy / long discussion on it'. This is an "it-is-what-it-is". If anything, the union should be seeing how they can help their members by offering a transportation alternative in the interim. Sounds like Atlantis offered a compromise --> if they keep the transportation service then more folks would have to be terminated to address the cost. The whole world going through these issues...no time for the union to be grandstanding. Some hotels aren't even opening.

....your entity has a major client that is 'unable to pay bills as they are due' (i.e., illiquid)..."it's just the way The Bahamas operates"...."I've been at this for 14 years now"......bruh, you're the CFO, it's wild that you're willing to make those statements on a call to shareholders without pushback from analysts questioning you on the call. Whether the customer is a Government-owned entity or not, your company should have something in place to secure the delinquencies...auditors sleeping ey?

Perhaps it's "common business sense" instead of "desperation".

If a business owner is faced with the option of either [1] fold the business; or [2] get a cash injection; there is a strong likelihood that they would take the cash injection (life-line) over allowing the business to immediately fold. There is no comfortable or easy decision.

Many businesses initially dismissed the continuity loan before even reading the details. There is a four-month deferral built into the loan. The loan is direct with the lending institutions and not the government. And guess what...if after four-months things have still not turned around economically, the MSMEs will more than likely have the backing of the government to collectively lobby for more time (since they would represent members of a specific government program, as opposed to a case-by-case loan). On top of the loan, there is an additional grant to help businesses specifically pay their staff. The grant doesn't have to be paid back.

It's never a good position to be in when you need to seek cash injections for your business. However, this is a good deal. Probably the best available right now. Small businesses should take it, while it's available. The only business that should truly consider a different option is a business that was struggling before the COVID-19 pandemic even started to take effect. Those businesses should really consider their overall business model.