Chairman boasts no customer has been disconnected despite losses NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) suffered a “monumental” 30 percent revenue loss in 2020 when compared to 2019, its executive chairman told Parliament yesterday. Adrian Gibson, the Long Island MP, added, however, that the corporation has not disconnected a single customer since last […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Five months after the Central Bank of The Bahamas officially launched the Sand Dollar, local authorized financial institution (AFI) Kanoo has become the first financial institution in the world to have it completely integrated into its system, allowing for interoperability. Company officials believe this capability proves its commitment to ensuring all Bahamians […]

Plastics ban leading to security concerns, says AID head NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A major Bahamian retailer said yesterday it has seen a dramatic increase in shoplifting since last year. Jason Watson, Automotive Industrial Distributors (AID) president, told Eyewitness News that while customer traffic has been good Monday through Saturday, not being allowed to open on […]

“They just keep kicking the can down the road and use COVID as an excuse” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Taxi drivers staged another demonstration yesterday as they called on the government to bring resolution to long-standing issues plaguing the sector. Bahamas Taxicab Union President Wesley Ferguson told reporters during a demonstration outside of Parliament: “The issues […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday acknowledged there will be “ebbs and flows” in the hotel sector as it continues to grapple with the impact of the pandemic, suggesting that the industry would see a rebound by year’s end. D’Aguilar, while addressing reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting yesterday, said: “There are going […]

Bowe: Don’t reward delinquency Financial secretary insists govt has been trying to collect arrears NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A leading accountant cautioned against the possible “moral hazard” of effectively rewarding delinquent taxpayers through real property tax amnesty programs. On Monday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced in Parliament that the government is providing Bahamian property owners […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said today that despite the impact of the pandemic on global tourism and travel, this nation continues to see strong gains in the very high-end tourism segment. Speaking with reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting, D’Aguilar said: “In the very high-end niche market, the private aviation and yacht […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas saw total foreign arrivals last year drop by just over 75 percent, according to the Central Bank. The regulator, in its Monthly Economic and Financial Developments report, January 2021, noted: “For 2020, total foreign arrivals reduced by 75.2 percent, a reversal from a 9.5 percent expansion in 2019. “Underlying this […]

Only “marginal” economic growth projected for 2021 NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Total private sector arrears rose by just over $12 million in January amid the ongoing adverse impact of the pandemic, according to the Central Bank, with mortgage delinquencies increasing by $4.3 million. The financial services regulator, in its monthly economic and financial developments report for […]

Hospital provides over 150,000 COVID-19 tests over the past 12 months, more than 90,000 of which were rapid antigen tests NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Doctor’s Hospital’s chief financial officer said yesterday the BISX-listed healthcare provider has seen a full recovery of its top line and earnings driven by its “pivot” towards COVID-19 support. Dennis Deveaux told […]

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas must seriously address the country’s debt problem and be restored to a path of sustainable economic growth, Exumas and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper urged yesterday. Cooper, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) deputy leader, while contributing to debate on the mid-year budget report, stated: “First, we need to clearly understand […]