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Thursday, November 20, 2025
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New aviation fee hikes are ‘too many bits and pieces’ • Warning CAA-B proposal may hit tourism competitiveness BAHAMIAN aviation operators yesterday warned • Operators sounding alarm: regulators that the industry’s commercial viability, ‘It’s just one fee after another’ together with tourism’s cost and price competitiveness, are • Assert that ‘no sector of under threat from new and increased fees that are being Bahamian aviation is unscathed’ imposed in “too many bits By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
and pieces”. Anthony Hamilton, president of the Bahamas Association of Air Transport Operators, told Tribune Business that too many government agencies are operating in “silos” and failing to see the bigger picture
impact in implementing fees which - while seemingly modest when all viewed separately - threaten to squeeze margins and profits through their combined impact.
Speaking out after the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAA-B) this week unveiled a ten-page dossier of new and increased fees it proposes to implement, he urged it to avoid a “copycat
ANTHONY HAMILTON
feet of space for retail shopping - 40-plus retail spaces and anchor tenant - a 35,100 square foot Class A office building, a performing stage and commercial space for showrooms over nine acres,”
the EMP by Bahamian environmental consultants, Waypoint, disclosed. “Activities include site clearing and grading, and excavation for installation of utilities and structures. The
Commonwealth ‘significantly below’ loan arrears averages By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net COMMONWEALTH Bank says the number of “qualified” borrowers has improved following the Bahamian economy’s postCOVID reflation with both non-performing credit and loan arrears “significantly below” the commercial banking industry average. Tangela Albury, the BISX-listed lender’s chief financial officer, told Tribune Business that The Bahamas’ first-ever credit bureau is also aiding decisions on whether to provide loan applicants with credit because it is providing greater insight and
TANGELA ALBURY transparency into their borrowing history with other banks. Persons with “unresolved debts” are now being forced to return to prior lenders to deal with such
CREDIT - See Page B4
Goldie’s suffers $6m loss from Arawak Cay blaze By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net GOLDIE’S Conch House yesterday revealed it suffered a $6m blow from Sunday’s fire that destroyed its Arawak Cay restaurant but reiterated its pledge to “build back stronger”. Kirkwood “Goldie” Evans, its proprietor, said he is drafting plans to ensure his property can withstand future disasters by replacing wooden elements with block construction and other fire-resistant materials. moving forward
with rebuilding plans for his restaurant which was destroyed by Sunday’s fire at Arawak Cay. He added that he has already prepared a reconstruction plan and will be submitting it to the Ministry of Works for approval, and fully expects it to point out any issues. Mr Evans made clear that he intends to follow all laws, rules and regulations required for rebuilding and Building Code compliance. “I’ve already drawn a plan so I’ve got to submit my plan to Ministry of
REBUILD - See Page B3
Bahamian fisheries split over sign-on to Caribbean body •
Bahamas no longer ‘backbencher’ in regional talks
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Alliance chief: Greater protection for local exclusivity
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But NFA secretary fears ‘sovereignty compromised’
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
nine-acre parcel is part of a larger 30-acre development as phase one. The project site is located east of Baha Mar Boulevard, north of MacFit 360 Fitness, and south of the Skyline Lakes Subdivision. The property is separated from the subdivision by a 150 foot BPL (Bahamas Power & Light) reservation.” Ansell Watson, Brickell Management Group’s president, did not respond to Tribune Business messaged questions seeking further
CONSTRUCT - See Page B5
JOIN - See Page B6
ACCESS - See Page B7
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
OVERALL SITE PLAN FOR BRICKELL SQUARE
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BAHAMIAN fisheries groups are split over the merits of formally signing on to a Caribbean body with some arguing it gives this nation a “voice at the table” and others warning it “compromises sovereignty” amid the ongoing threat from foreign poachers. Adrian LaRoda, the Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance’s (BCFA) president, told Tribune Business that this nation becoming a full member of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) is “a positive step” since the country will no longer be a “backbencher” and passive observer when international fisheries policies are being discussed and agreed. He explained that, prior to The Bahamas’ recent sign-on, it only had observer status at CRFM discussions and could not participate in the talks or intervene to protect its national interests. Mr LaRoda recalled how, in his capacity as former chair of a Caribbean fisheries group, he was messaging the then-minister responsible for the industry and the director of fisheries on what was happening at a CRFM meeting because they could not participate. However, Paul Maillis, the National Fisheries Association’s (NFA) secretary, told this newspaper that his group does not support The Bahamas becoming a full CRFM member for fear it could provide a backdoor for foreign Caribbean nationals to fish in this nation’s territorial waters and exploit its stocks. He argued that the annual contribution that The Bahamas must now make to cover the CRFM’s operational costs amounts to an “unnecessary expense”, and asserted that the move “does nothing” to preserve the sustainability of Bahamian fisheries stocks or protect the country’s borders from the poaching menace.
and copy and paste” approach based on adopting fee schedules and structures from
Sebas-chaired developer in Skyline retail, offices A DEVELOPER chaired by Sebas Bastian, the Island Luck co-founder and PLP’s Fort Charlotte election candidate, is seeking environmental approvals to construct a nineacre retail and office complex just south of the Skyline Lakes subdivision. The environmental management plan (EMP) for Brickell Square, which is being developed by Brickell Management Group, said the initial phase - which would be constructed on the eastern side of Baha Mar Boulevard between Skyline Lakes and the MacFit 360 Fitness and Performance gym - is part of a much larger 30-acre project at that site. “The development by Brickell Square Commercial includes 94,000 square
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