you are right John but i think you failed to mention the 10% in this country who seams to have a lock of the super market, Food retail, Wholesale Business. Along with the stores you mentions, there is the Chinese who are doing very well with their stores popping up all over the place. When a small man like Phil;'s was at Phills food services was on gladstone road try be successful in this area,they are cut down by the established food merchants in this country. As long as Milo Butler has been around they should have had more food stores by now.but the oligarchy in the food business will not allow that to happen. Look at how they fustrated Sandy Shaffer and his "every thing must go" food stores because of his very low prices. Politics also played a role in his food stores demise..

Taylor Industries did not reinvent their business model and in this technological savvy world. With the likes of Amazon and other online retail websites flourishing , other Bahamians retailers may go the same way and the Bahamas joining WTO. will not help the situation..

**sucteeth** is a racist. why go low and call people monkeys.

Yep .....thats what the economist are predicting for 2019

The Government could put less emphasis on improving economic growth for the Bahamas in 2019 and more emphasis on improving social programs and pay off the national depth if they can negotiate reduced or elimination of some of the concessions given to both Atlantis and Baha Mar

Reduce those customs Duty rates on automobiles or better yet eliminate those rates because WTO assention requires it ......you have already increased VAT after its introduction by the PLP so why the delay in getting rid of the tariff and duty rates ?

With the Bahamas joining the WTO in December 2019...it will interesting to see the new reduced or elimination duties and on what items during the mid year and 2019 -2020 budget address.

We always boost about Tourism being the number one Industry followed by Banking ...Then we Bad mouth the Numbers Industry because of the socials ill they cost, But why not hold the church accountable and see who is really fleecing the flock. The NPO Bill when passed should hold them accountable.

i guess those energy-efficient streets lights have automatic sensor's to turn on when darkness is sensed and off when daylight is sensed. so .they must have included procurement cost, installation cost. Shipping cost, insurance and VAT to arrive at much higher unit cost. ,

Vat at 20% would cause Economic collapse, Hundreds of business failures, Massive demonstrations, Riots, looting, The crime level now would be like a beach picnic compared to what would happen. and Bahamians would do exactly what is happening in Paris right now, while bringing Tourism to a stand still...Only so much the people can take.....