The Bahamas Investor

...f The Bahamas Bar to allow foreign lawyers to practice in the country, the Minister said. He said such a liberalisation of the sector would be necessary to grow the economy and, in addition, the government is looking to introduce short-term work permits so visiting consultants can more easily enter the country for business meetings. The Minister pointed to the need to be responsive and engaged in order to build and diversify the economy. “All of u......

...inancial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration Brent Symonette. The Minister made the remark while speaking to stakeholders during the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA ) Accountants Week opening ceremony. The event was held at Melia Nassau Beach, November 14, 2017. “Our plan is to reinforce the principles of strong leadership, based on ethical governance, that is transparent and accountable, and which applies firm and pruden......

...nies running their own generators, rather than relying on the island grid. Minister Darville acknowledges that this is a major concern and could be stunting the sector’s growth, saying: “The industrial sector and power go hand in hand.” “The growth and expansion of facilities are directly related to the reduction of the cost of electricity. We lower the cost [and] we would see an expansion in the industrial sector. It is an issue that is ongoing,......

...Grand Bahama following Hurricane Matthew’s devastation last year. Part of Minister Foulkes trip entailed meetings with the Grand Bahama Port Authority, Freeport Container Port, Bahama Rock Ltd., Grand Bahama Shipyard, and Pineyard Steel to discuss its training programme. Among the labour leaders the minister met were Bahamas General Workers Union, headed by Thomas Basden who represents the workers at Bahama Rock; Grand Bahama Port Authority Worke......

...plan for the Ministry of Financial Services in order reach a set of goals. Minister Pinder made the remarks this week during his contribution in the 2012/2013 budget debate in the House of Assembly. “We in the Ministry have already started our initial six-month strategy plan, which will be expanded into a more comprehensive five-year strategic plan for the Ministry of Financial Services,” he said. The Minister went on to say that Bahamian ownershi......

...n for the logistics, cargo transport and international trade sectors. Both Minister Darville and Fair gave country specific presentations at an early morning conference held April 3 at the expo. The expo attracts more than 45,000 visitors–65 per cent of which are cargo shippers in search of new solutions, best practices and networking with the big players in the Brazilian and international markets. Pictured: (left to right) Robert Myers, president......

...s Recurrent Revenue collections, as was highlighted in the Mid-Year Budget Statement. “The bright spots in economic performance have continued to be tourism and construction,” said the Prime Minister. “Tourism continues to record steady gains on the basis of growth in key source markets and recovery in the group business segment, along with buoyant sea arrivals.” Prime Minister Christie said the incentive programmes offered by the hotel sector hav......

...at Colombo airport by people in traditional Sri Lankan costumes. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay) Prime Minister Perry Christie arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 14 to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) . The Prime Minister arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport to a traditional Sri Lankan welcome. He was greeted by Rauff Hakeem, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Justice. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) wil......

...chief executive officer, Caribbean Bottling Co. (BIS Photo/Raymond Bethel) Minister of Financial Services Ryan Pinder takes a tour of the new Coca-Cola plant on July 19. Pictured from left: Walter Wells, CEO, Caribbean Bottling Co; Minister Pinder; and Harrison Thompson, permanent secretary, Ministry of Financial Services. (BIS Photo/Raymond Bethel) Walter Wells, CEO of Caribbean Bottling Co, gives an overview of the company’s new facilities on Si......

...ntly and structurally enhanced through a wide range of measures, the Prime Minister said during the 2012/2013 Mid-Year Budget Statement on the six months ending December 31, 2012 at the House of Assembly, February 25, 2013. The Prime Minister said that the government is establishing a Central Revenue Agency to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of revenue collection across a number of major taxes. Christie added that the government is imp......

...nd’s campaign for the UN Security Council for the term 2015 to 2016. Prime Minister Christie advised the Prime Minister of New Zealand of the proposed implementation of value added tax (VAT) in The Bahamas and enquired of possibilities for cooperation between the two countries on this matter. Christie also thanked New Zealand for their pledge of support to The Bahamas’ candidature for re-election to the Council of the International Maritime Organi......

...deal. We welcome the news and believe that such a complex will be a sustainable and cost effective investment that will bring real auto racing back to The Bahamas.” Pictured: (from left) Dr Daniel Johnson, Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture; Philip Davis, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development; Jean Todt, president FIA, the worldwide governing body of motorsports; and David McLaughlin, race event organizer, chairman of......

...the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay) Pictured: Prime Minister, centre right, with Minister Fred Mitchell, centre left; and with them, left to right: Dr Eugene Newry, ambassador, Washington, DC and permanent mission of The Bahamas to the OAS; Calsey Johnson, high commissioner, Canada; Eldred Bethel, high commissioner, United Kingdom; Sheila Carey, charge d’affaires, Beijing, China; Forrester Carroll, consul general, New York;......

...including addressing the legitimate interests of Bahamian creditors, Prime Minister Christie stated. “Therefore, given the importance of this matter, I sent a delegation to Beijing, led by Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson and Sir Baltron Bethel, senior policy advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister, with a view to accomplishing these objectives,” he added. Prime Minister Christie said that he was pleased to inform the House of Assembly......

...the building blocks from which to further develop the sector, according to Minister Strachan. Global challenges continue to make the future for International Financial Centres unpredictable, and Minister Strachan is adamant that The Bahamas must ready itself through continued diversification of product offering, innovation ahead of the competition, continued investment in professional education, and a concerted effort toward the ease of doing busi......