WeblogBahamas.com

Higher taxes lead to lower economic growth. Is VAT a mistake?

Many people have been calling for government to reduce spending and collect taxes that are past due and collectable under existing laws, but so far the response has been typical of a political class that seems bereft of reasonable ideas to get the country's fiscal house in order. They tell... Read more →

Crafty little bastard!

Now I can relate to this little ditty sent along by a friend... A guy is walking along a Vancouver Bahamian beach when he comes across a lamp partially buried in the sand. He picks up the lamp and gives it a rub. A genie appears and tells him he... Read more →

Bahamas economy turned the corner?

Prime Minister Perry Christie (PLP), is reported to have said he is "very much encouraged that we have turned a corner and there is every reason for a positive outlook." Nassau Guardian, October 29, 2013. This is an interesting observation from the Prime Minister, when virtually every business person one... Read more →

Couch Gladiators

Dear Editor, I refer to the article “Butler-Turner suggests PM has dislike for women” published in The Nassau Guardian October 24, 2013. The level of debate in the House of Assembly has truly reached a new low when the topic of debate is the Prime Minister’s gladiatorial skills or lack... Read more →

Bahamas Public Finances. A distressing trend

Our public officials tell us revenue is the problem so we need a Value Added Tax (VAT). Seems they might have some difficulty reading their own numbers? Spending looks like the problem to me, so heaven knows what form(s) of taxation will follow the failure of VAT. Do you have... Read more →

Blodwyn Pig - Song of the week - Dear Jill - October 28, 2013

"Blodwyn Pig were a British blues–rock band, founded in 1968 by guitarist–vocalist–songwriter Mick Abrahams." From their 1969 LP Ahead Rings Out comes this ditty below, Dear Jill, and I hope you enjoy it. Please visit Mick Abrahams web site here… and I hope you buy some of his misic and... Read more →

Spanish Wells Beach - Photo of the week

This is the view looking West on the Northe side beach at Spanish Wells, Eleuthera. We live in one of, if not "the" most beautiful country in the world. When we walked this same beach earlier this year, there were two porpoise swimming around on their morning hunt. An amazing... Read more →

Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Bahamas. An idyllic spot

Last weekend we went to Spanish Wells for a family members wedding. It's the second time we've been this year and we simply love it. Both times we stayed at Vacation Time Suites and we highly recommend it. See their web site here… I could go on and on with... Read more →

Copenhagen Consensus: How much have global problems cost the world?

Providing facts on how to do the most good for the world. Cutting out hyperbole about the world's biggest issues. Stimulating debate on solving the biggest problems. Copenhagen Consensus Center's project How Much have Global Problems Cost the World? A Scorecard from 1900 to 2050 (Cambridge University Press, Oct 10)... Read more →

Takeaways from the RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Client presentation on VAT

On Wednesday morning, October 23, 2013, RBC hosted a presentation on Value Added Tax. Ms. Marla Dukharan, Group Economist RBC Caribbean spoke on; The Commonwealth of The Bahamas: From Tax Neutrality to Fiscal Sustainability. Mr. Wayne Lovell, Partner, Tax, KPMG Barbados discussed; Value Added Tax - Operational Accounting and Financial... Read more →