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Bahamians 'can't bear another red cent' in cost hikes

A LEADING bottled water manufacturer yesterday said its decision to cut public opening hours was "in the best interests of all", given a power bill that totalled $500,000 for the past two years and the inability of consumers "to bear another red cent" in costs.

VAT 'not total' tax reform answer

VALUE Added Tax (VAT) is not the complete solution to the Bahamas' taxation reform needs, this nation's leading World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiator yesterday warning that changes also needed to encourage targeted investment and be trade agreement-compliant.

FamGuard targets improved profits 'through 2012' after 54% Q1 rise

FAMGUARD Corporation's 54.4 per cent net income increase for the 2012 first quarter "came close to expectations", its chief executive yesterday expressing optimism that its alliance with a major international 'third party' healthcare provider would further help reduce claims.

Atlantis takes over key JFK terminal

THE Atlantis resort has unveiled a strategic alliance with Jet Blue and the airline's TrueBluie customer loyalty programme, in a move designed to drive tourist traffic to the Paradise Island destination.

Entrepreneurship not precise science

SOME business graduates believe that everything coming out of Harvard Business School should be bowed down to, and that the right method always gets you where you want to be. However, there was a disbeliever at the University where I studied in the UK. She told me: "If it sounds convincing, look for reasons not to believe it."

Marinas chief sees business increase

THE in-coming president of the Marina Operators of the Bahamas (MOB) is predicting an increase in boating visitors this year, telling Tribune Business the economy was perhaps the biggest challenge for the industry.

Minister targeting 8.8% boating market growth

THE Bahamas' marina industry saw more than 157,000 boats landed last year, according to the Minister of Tourism, who yesterday said projections indicate an 8.8 per cent increase in the recreational boating market over the next several years.

'Over 250k room night' boost from $18m credit

The Bahamas has generated "over 250,000 room nights" for the Nassau/Paradise Island destination alone during the past year via an $18 million investment in airfare credit promotions, the director-general of tourism yesterday saying he was "bullish" on the industry's outlook.

Auto dealer: 'My worst month for four years'

A BAHAMIAN auto dealer yesterday said May 2012 was "my worst month in probably four years" for new car sales, despite the industry as a whole seeing a 5 per cent rise in completed deals.

Atlantis chief eyes winter 'stimulus'

ATLANTIS'S top executive yesterday expressed optimism that the Bahamas' upcoming fall/winter 2012 airfare credit would "really stimulate bookings" during peak periods for the hotel industry, after the flagship Paradise Island resort saw a 10 per cent slowdown in its summer booking pace.

'Unhappy players' to drive insurance consolidation

THE Insurance Advisory Commission's (IAC) chairman yesterday predicted that consolidation will occur among Bahamian general insurance carriers within the next two-three years, arguing that the industry's 2011 average Return on Equity (RoE) of 3.6 per cent meant "there must be some unhappy players".

Don't nationalise healthcare, BAF chief warns Gov't

THE Government was yesterday warned not to completely nationalise healthcare in the Bahamas, the Insurance Advisory Commission's (IAC) chairman also expressing concern that post-CLICO over-regulation would deter insurers from providing "savings-type products".

Get your market right on target

I LIKE the saying: "You can't disguise a bad message, no matter how much you dress it up". There are many businesses who wish that their goods or services can appeal to everyone, and prefer skipping the planning segment to get right into design, not knowing that it takes time and patience to design the "right message" that will reach the "right people".

Haiti outlines prospects for Bahamians

HAITI'S tourism and construction sectors provide significant opportunities for Bahamian businesses, it was revealed during a recent presentation hosted by the Haitian Embassy in conjunction with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers' Confederation (BCCEC).

Minister confirms Gov't bond issue

MINISTER of State for Finance, Michael Halkitis, yesterday confirmed the imminent launch of a Bahamas Government Registered Stock (BGRS) issue, telling Tribune Business it was very likely it would come out early next month when the new fiscal year began.

Bahamas 'maximises' Customs duties yields

THE Bahamas is running out of additional revenue sources, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday, adding that he believed the country had achieved the "maximum" yield from Customs duties.

Cost impediment to roads reversal

COST will be a major factor in the Government's decision on whether or not to reverse the one-way traffic system on Baillou Hill Road and Market Street, a government official telling Tribune Business yesterday that the impact it would have on traffic management also had to be taken into consideration.

Gov’t committed to roads compensation

The MINISTER of State for Finance, Michael Halkitis, said yesterday that the Christie administration was holding to its pledge to provide some compensation for those businesses impacted by the New Providence Road Improvement Project (NPRIP), telling Tribune Business the Government was going to have to find creative solutions given the current fiscal situation.

AML targets $150m top-line by Jan '14

AML Foods "will be pushing" $150 million in annual group sales within 18 months, its chief executive told Tribune Business yesterday, aided by a $20 million contribution from its newly-announced Solomon's Fresh Market store at the Harbour Bay Shopping Centre.

Gov't to unveil $200m bond

THE Government is preparing to launch a mammoth $200 million Bahamas Government Registered Stock (BGRS) issue next month, financial industry sources have confirmed to Tribune Business, as it bids to cover its projected $550 million GFS deficit for the upcoming 2012-2013 fiscal year.

Super Value chief 'forging ahead' in 3-store takeover

SUPER Value's president yesterday said he was "forging right ahead" with the takeover of three former City Markets' locations, having put out "bids" for the re-equipping of the South Beach and Seagrapes sites, as he told Tribune Business: "We're aiming to be number one."

Private sector 'concerned' over large deposit levies

BAHAMIAN businesses were yesterday said to be "gravely concerned" about increased banking costs after CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) became the latest institution to charge a fee for handling large deposits, a move some banks say is intended to encourage greater security.

WTO: Bahamas has 'considerable work'

THE Bahamas has "considerable work" to do in making its business/trading regime compliant with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, with this nation's negotiating team having undergone a recent grilling in Geneva on various aspects of its existing rules.

Lyford Hills developer targeting 6-9 months for Phase I 'sell out'

THE lead developer of Lyford Hills said yesterday he hoped to sell out Phase I of the project in the next six-nine months, telling Tribune Business that interest in the development had picked up in the last few weeks.

Direct at the main target

I BELONG to a marketing association where the guru we follow, Dan Kennedy, has been insisting that everyone should be using direct mail to a greater degree. He's been writing about direct mail for years, but I, like the majority of his clients, have consistently ignored him. The good part of that is it allowed me to really master the Internet and social media, which can deliver faster results.