The Big Story

PS: Adding another holiday has financial implications for businesses NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Cabinet is expected to make a final decision next Tuesday on whether an additional day will be added to the holiday calendar this year, with Christmas and Boxing Day falling on Saturday and Sunday respectively.  Press Secretary Clint Watson. Press Secretary Clint Watson, during a weekly press briefing...

Watson: Bahamas will be cutting-edge in carbon-neutral agenda NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government's legislative agenda in the new year will focus on several key policy initiatives promised by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in the lead-up to the general election and outlined in the Speech from the Throne. Press Secretary Clint Watson yesterday outlined several key initiatives the government will...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The domestic capital market saw positive developments during the third quarter as, most notably, the volume of shares traded on the Bahamas International Stock Exchange (BISX) grew by 32 percent. The regulator, in its third-quarter economic review, noted: “The domestic capital market registered positive developments during the third quarter, in line with the gradual recovery in the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The domestic economy maintained a “measured pace of recovery” in the third quarter despite the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Central Bank. The regulator, in its recently released third quarter economic review, noted: “Indications are that the domestic economy maintained a measured pace of recovery during the third quarter of 2021, despite the...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A digital payments solutions provider said that while adoption of the technology to this point has been “moderate”, it expects greater uptake in “2022 and beyond”. Jeffrey Beckles. Jeffrey Beckles, Island Pay’s managing director, told Eyewitness News the company plans to roll out its Family Island banking solution in the new year. “We have seen moderate adoption....

Travel health visa requirement still in place for visitors Cooper hints manual immigration landing card to be axed “in due course” NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Tourism Minister Chester Cooper advised in Parliament yesterday that beginning December 13, Bahamians and residents will no longer require health visas to return home. The travel visa, however, will remain in place for visitors “for the...

Former PM suggests Davis acting as dictator NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis accused Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis of acting as the “ultra, most competent authority” when he purportedly gave permission for the operators of the Christmas carnival to proceed when the Ministry of Health had yet to make a formal recommendation. In the Minority Room...

Initial offering open until Dec 17, 2021 Bahamian citizens 18 and over eligible to invest NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) has launched its $25 million initial public offering (IPO), allowing for Bahamians to invest in the redevelopment of Nassau’s cruise. CFAL is the book runner for the Bahamas Investment Fund (BIF) offering, which represents a 49 percent equity...

WHO says omicron variant confirmed in 57 nations to date NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government will remove the restrictions placed on eight southern African countries last week following the discovery of the COVID-19 omicron variant, announced Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville yesterday. Those countries include Botswana; Eswatini (formerly Swaziland); Lesotho; Malawi; Mozambique; Namibia; Zimbabwe; and South Africa....

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville yesterday assured the Bahamian people that full rollout of its free COVID-19 testing program is coming in the next couple of months. Though there have been challenges, Darville said the government is testing various digital platforms to facilitate it. “We made it clear that free testing is not something that you...

Davis: Introduction of digital currency in Caribbean has potential to leap-frog us into the future NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas still has “much to do” to catch up with the rest of the world to create the desired digital economy and infrastructure, according to Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis. Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis. Davis, who was addressing Crypto Isle’s...

Darville says govt concerned about growing need for mental health assistance  NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville said yesterday he will make inquiries at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) over its moratorium of admissions, a policy that has been in place since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Following the governor general’s annual visit to Sandilands on Fox...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Island Pay executives yesterday urged users on the platform to exercise "diligence" when conducting their transactions, this as several account holders have reported fraudulent activities on their digital wallets. As we evolve in the digital space, we want to share as much info with consumers on how to use their digital assets in a safe manner. -...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Parliament yesterday passed the Merchant Bill, 2021, as the government moves to modernize and improve the maritime sector. The bill will now move to the Senate for debate. Minister of Transport and Housing JoBeth Coleby-Davis, while contributing to debate on the bill in Parliament, said: “This is indeed an opportune time to bring this legislation to the...

Former PM insists his admin had always sought to improve economy of South Eleuthera; says he “takes exception” to Sir Franklyn’s allegations NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has fired back against claims by Sunshine Holdings Chairman Sir Franklyn Wilson that “bad public policy” by his administration in the late 1990s resulted in the Cotton Bay development in...

Laroda: Some terminated staff did not meet 52-week contribution requirement NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Some 4,000 people are believed to have “illegally” received National Insurance unemployment payments by “double-dipping”, said Myles Laroda, minister of state in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for the National Insurance Board (NIB). Laroda told reporters outside Cabinet that a decision has not been...

Sears: It’s just a discussion at this point NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Works Minister Alfred Sears said yesterday that discussions are being held regarding the introduction of tolls to cover the cost of maintaining key infrastructure in the country, such as bridges, roads and docks. Alfred Sears. He noted, however, that no determinations have been made at this point. Sears, while...

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Myles Laroda said yesterday that the government’s priority as it relates to disaster management is to provide aid for thousands of residents on Grand Bahama and Abaco who have received no assistance since the deadly 2019 storm. Hurricane Dorian, which has been declared the strongest storm to...