The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organization whose main function is to reduce barriers to international trade so as to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. It provides the legal and institutional framework for the negotiation and oversight of trade agreements between member states. Currently, 160 states are members of the WTO and another 23 are in the process of joining. Decisions at the WTO are essentially all made by the consensus of the member states through rounds of negotiation.

…continue with our excerpt >

This is an excerpt from Higgs & Johnson as it appeared on October 31, 2014. For updates or to read the current version of this post in its entirety, please click here.

Go to the source of this post >

Fund managers from around the world attended the Julius Baer Alpha Conference today to discuss the performance of global markets, opportunities arising from worldwide economic recovery and investors’ best strategies for maximising returns.

Addressing the audience of fund managers, Julius Baer’s head, EAM & Global Custody Americas and Africa Roi Tavor said: “There are two reasons why clients remain loyal: quality of service and performance. Today, our clients need a lot of support to navigate the complexity of the markets.”

…continue >

Global regulators are taking a more aggressive approach in the name of transparency and this will have wide reaching implications for international financial centres around the world, warned representatives from the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Worldwide this week.

Speaking at the Nassau Conference held at the British Colonial Hilton last week, STEP Worldwide deputy chief executive George Hodgson said: “Transparency is the new normal. We need to get real and accept that.”

…continue >

DENVER, October 2014 /PRNewswire/ — In the past week, Denver International Airport, Lynden Pindling International Airport in The Bahamas, and Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba announced they will join the ranks of 25 North American airports currently offering expedited border control processing to international travelers via Automated Passport Control (APC) Kiosks.

…continue >

Terminal ambience is improved by having live music to entertain passengers. (Photo courtesy Nassau Airport Development)

For the third consecutive quarter, Airport Service Quality (ASQ) survey has ranked Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in the top three airports serving 2-5 million passengers.

Clean terminals and overall improved ambience at the country’s major gateway ranked first and second in passenger feedback and helped to solidify the airport’s strong scores.

In quarter two of 2014, overall satisfaction trended upward with LPIA earning 4.42 on the 5-point Likert scale.

In the category Cleanliness of Airport Terminal the airport earned 4.62 and 4.49 in Ambience of Airport Terminal. Overall satisfaction in the International Terminal jumped from Q1 scores of 4.0 to 4.27 in Q2. There were also increased ratings in the US and International/Domestic terminals during this period.

…continue >

…continue >

More routes to residency and citizenship in The Bahamas for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) could deliver a significant economic boost for the country, according to immigration lawyers.

Many countries around the globe have developed citizenship by investment programmes, and The Bahamas could follow suit suggested Reaz Jafri head of immigration, Asia & US at Withers Bergman LLP and partner at Withersworldwide Joseph Field during a panel discussion at this week’s Nassau Conference.

…continue >

Pictured: Prime Minister Perry Christie addresses the Diplomatic Week Dinner, Balmoral Club, October 24. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay)

Prime Minister Perry Christie hosted a Diplomatic Week Dinner for members of the Foreign Service October 24 at the Balmoral Club.

Along the lines of the theme of the special week the Prime Minister declared: “The 21st century has thus far been marked by the rise of the global economy, private enterprise and the digital revolution, which have resulted in unprecedented global economic and cultural shifts and integration. If each nation is to achieve its aspirations of sustainable growth and development and the well-being of its citizens, it must be bold and creative. And in this regard, I consider the launching of this Diplomatic Week by the Bahamas Foreign Ministry as a response to this charge.”

…continue >

The Ministry of Tourism is rolling out its Behold Bahamas promotional campaign at a major sporting venue in Toronto.
…continue >

PLANO, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: TYL) announced today that the Ministry of Finance for the Government of The Bahamas has chosen Tyler’s iasWorld® property appraisal and tax administration software to be used by its Real Property Tax Valuation Unit (RPTVU). The contract includes software licenses, implementation services and support.

The Bahamas conducted a competitive review looking for an efficient appraisal and tax solution that would support the government’s use of modern technology to improve its property tax administration and collection processes while reducing manual work, especially for property assessments and reporting of outstanding taxes.

…continue >