“We have a plan; we are sticking to the plan”
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday sought to assure the public his administration has no intention of raising taxes immediately if reelected in the upcoming general election.
The opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) recently claimed the opposite, alleging the prime minister’s tax-increase plans are imminent.
But Minnis slammed those claims as “fear-mongering” and a “flat-out lie”.
“We recently articulated our Accelerate Bahamas plan during the budget, on the heels of the incredibly successful execution of the Resilient Bahamas plan during the last fiscal year,” the prime minister said.
“In our Accelerated Bahamas plan, we transparently laid out our tax plans and our economic policies to boost entrepreneurship and job creation.
“Our tax plans were designed to stimulate economic growth in the southern islands and to ensure entrepreneurs get access to long-desired concessions.
“In keeping with our three-year fiscal strategy, our targeted measures to generate new revenue are focused on compliance and collection of existing taxes and high-value, niche industries that are now paying their fair share.
“We have a plan. We are sticking to the plan.”
Minnis pointed to the government exceeding revenue projections for the six months from January to June 2021 as evidence of his administration’s plan working.
He also said that for the month of July, up to last Friday, the government’s revenues are tracking ahead of budgetary projections “as our economy roars back to life”.
“Unlike the PLP when they were in office, my government operates on the basis of sound fiscal and economic planning and policy development,” Minnis said.
He added: “While we appreciate that the notion of organized and strategic governance is an alien concept to the opposition, given their woeful performance in the past, we ask that they refrain from making up nonsense to deflect from the fact that the economy of The Bahamas is on its way back to full recovery under the stewardship of this FNM (Free National Movement) government.”
The date of the next general election has yet to be set despite widespread speculation that a snap election will be called before the end of this year or even this summer.
Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis on Sunday urged Bahamians to register to vote, suggesting an early election could be called as soon as today.
Minnis has repeatedly denied the sweeping rumors and dodged pointed questions from the media on the same.
