‘Everybody is scared as hell’ on mounting Trump tariff confusion
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A BAHAMIAN small business adviser yesterday warned “everybody is scared as hell right now” given the “chaos and mass confusion” caused by Donald Trump’s daily-changing trade and tariff policies.
Mark A. Turnquest, founder of the 242 Small Business Association and Resource Centre, told Tribune Business some of his small and medium-sized (SME) business clients had informed him “this is the first time the immediate impact of a price hike has been felt so soon” even though the US president again reversed course yesterday by postponing tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports for another month.
However, the uncertainty caused by the constant shifts in White House policy is disrupting US-based supply chains that Bahamian businesses of all sizes have come to rely upon. Mr Turnquest said clients, as well as his Association’s members, have told him that product shipments already paid for have suddenly increased in price after being caught by the tariff imposition earlier this week.
He told this newspaper that Mr Trump’s threatened trade war with the largest US trading partners has coincided with when many Bahamian companies typically place orders for fresh inventory after selling out of Christmas and New Year stock. And, warning that the “Easter special ain’t special no more”, he added that very few SMEs will “have no
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
AN ex-prime minister yesterday accused the Government of handing a “$1bn” monopoly to well-connected insiders as he called for the Bahamas Moorings deal to be probed by a newly-created corruption watchdog.
Dr Hubert Minnis, following his mid-year Budget address in the House of Assembly, told Tribune Business his administration had estimated that a properly managed and maintained nationwide moorings and anchorage system could generate as much as $50m per year in revenue.
Disclosing that the $50m estimate excluded New Providence, Dr Minnis told this newspaper he had held initial discussions about creating a full-owned government “authority” or private-public partnership (PPP) to install, manage and maintain moorings fields outside the Bahamian capital. The latter model would have seen the Government team with a private company, which would have been responsible for overseeing operations.
Based on the now-aborted 21-year lease granted to Bahamas Moorings, he argued that this deal - which gave the company “the right to install and operate mooring services in the Exumas or elsewhere in The Bahamas” - would have generated more than $1bn in income for the company and its owners over its entire lifetime if it was extended to other Family Islands.
Explaining that the plan never advanced because his administration became preoccupied with dealing with Hurricane Dorian’s devastation in late 2019, then the COVID-19 pandemic just six months later, the former prime minister said he was adamantly opposed to the Bahamas Moorings deal’s structure because it concentrated earnings and profits in a private monopoly owned by just a few persons.
Instead, Dr Minnis said both the Authority and PPP model would have ensured a portion of the mooring fees
collected from visiting boaters would have been returned to the Family Island communities where these anchorages were located via their local government authorities, thereby helping to grow local economies.
And, given the allegations of “conflict of interest” and other unanswered questions surrounding the Bahamas Moorings deal, Dr Minnis demanded that it
Realtor’s ‘fast track’ via expansion to Eleuthera
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A PROMINENT Bahamian realtor yesterday said his firm plans to be “very instrumental” in Eleuthera’s growth with its newly-unveiled Governor’s Harbour office set to be followed soon by a Harbour Island premises.
Mario Carey, principal of MCR Better Homes and
Gardens Real Estate Bahamas, told Tribune Business the company has made “a substantial investment” in establishing a physical presence in central Eleuthera and forecast that business volumes “will fast track in a good way” despite the island’s ongoing electricity and water woes.
Describing Eleuthera’s real estate market as “brisk”, he
Trade chief pledges 60% slash in key food
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Trade Commission’s chairman yesterday pledged that consumers can expect to see a 20-60 percent reduction in the cost of frequently-consumed food items by this summer.
Speaking at the Office of the Prime Minister’s weekly media briefing, Barry Griffin said Super Value’s much-touted egg price reduction is “only the beginning” and several other products will be sourced directly from
suppliers in the Caribbean and Latin America. He added that the National Trade Diversification Programme is working to connect Bahamian businesses with international
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
SARKIS Izmirlian’s bid to have an independent examiner investigate the business affairs of Baha Mar’s main contractor has been approved by the New Jersey federal bankruptcy court. Judge Christine Gravelle, in a March 5, 2025, order rejected CCA Construction Inc’s arguments against such a move although
she set several terms and conditions relating to the timing of the examiner’s appointment. This, she ordered, will happen either by June 1, 2025, or earlier if the New York State Supreme Courts appeals division prior to that date upholds Mr Izmirlian’s $1.642bn fraud and breach of contract damages award against CCA Construction Inc and its two Bahamas-domiciled affiliates, CCA (Bahamas) and CSCEC (Bahamas). All three entities are subsidiaries of China Construction America (CCA), which in turn is owned by China State Construction and Engineering
DR HUBERT MINNIS MARK A TURNQUEST
CARLTON RUSSELL DEAN SPYCHALLA
SENATOR BARRY GRIFFIN
BRISTOL GROUP IN CANNED WATER DISTRIBUTION TIE-UP
THE Bristol Group of Companies has teamed with a Florida-based manufacturer to distribute the latter’s Tropical Water brand throughout The Bahamas.
MSPFLA Inc, which is based in Pensacola, said in a statement that the tie-up with the Bristol Group will provide a sustainable bottled water can option for visitors and Bahamians. It added that Tropical Water will offer alternative packaging for bottled water.
Daniel Rogers, of MSPFLA, said: “Bristol Distribution is exactly the partner we were looking for in The Bahamas - a distributor with a robust network serving wholesale and retail channels throughout The Bahamas, plus a commitment to sustainable brands like our Tropical Water line.
“Tropical Water represents more than just premium artesian water in reusable eco-friendly cans. Each sip offers the dream of a sandy beach while supporting environmental sustainability.”
Sandy Rolle, senior vice-president of Bristol Distribution, said: “This partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment to bring an alternative bottled water packaging to The Bahamas that our clients have been asking for. By choosing Tropical Water, we’re preserving our country’s beauty and resources. Tropical Water should be on the shelves in a few weeks.” The Bristol Group was formed some 21 years ago.
ANNUAL AWARDS DAY CLOSURE NOTICE
Please note that all Family Guardian ofces will be closed on Friday, March 7th, 2025 for our Annual Awards Day.
Normal working hours will resume on Monday March 10, 2025.
DEVELOP THESE QUALITIES IN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Leadership training can help develop skills such as communication, conflict resolution and decisionmaking. These skills can help leaders motivate their teams and achieve goals. When a company makes a decision to focus on leadership training, there are any number of competencies that will help drive growth in the leadership team. This week’s column highlights the seven top leadership qualities:
1. Conflict resolution and management: This involves identifying the cause of problems, mediating between parties and finding a resolution. Conflict management requires leaders to use mediation and negotiation skills to appease both parties involved in the issue.
2. Change management: This demonstrates an understanding of what drives change, how people respond to it and how to use it to learn and improve.
3. Communication: For leaders this is being able to communicate well with others, including superiors, peers, subordinates, investors and customers both verbally and in writing.
4. Decision-making: This involves knowing when to act independently, when to seek input and when to let others make the final decision, plus using critical thinking and analytical tools to make timely decisions.
5. Problem-solving: This looks closely at identifying and analysing problems, and using practical experience to solve them.
Nassau/PI tourism promotion board wins
top travel awards
THE Nassau and Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB) has been recognised with two international travel awards by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA).
The honours were awarded at the 25th edition of the PATWA World Tourism & Aviation Leaders’ Summit, and the PATWA International Travel Awards, held during this week’s ITB Berlin global tourism conference.
Nassau and Paradise Island won the PATWA
International Travel Award for 2025 as destination of the year – marine tourism, while Joy Jibrilu, the Promotion Board’s chief executive, received the PATWA International Travel Gold Award for 2025 for individual excellence –destination management – Caribbean. The award was presented PATWA’s secretary-general, Yatan Ahluwalia.
The PATWA International Travel Awards recognise excellence in global travel and tourism, celebrating destinations and
BAHAMASAIR NAMES FIRST WOMEN’S DAY HONOREE
BAHAMASAIR has named Patrice Johnson as the first recipient of its International Women’s Day Award. The recognition celebrates her commitment and service to the national flag carrier for 42 years and counting.
As Bahamasair’s director of customer service, Ms Johnson is known for embodying professionalism and perseverance. She said, “I am honoured to be recognised as the first woman in my company in celebration of International Women’s Day.
“I have proudly served in this organisation since July 1983, and continue to find
6. Emotional intelligence: This requires that leaders are empathetic and guide their teams with a caring mindset.
7. Integrity: A crucial competence involving conducting oneself honestly and openly, and being consistent in words and actions Companies can help leaders grow by providing opportunities for mentorship, training programmes, challenging assignments, job rotations, regular feedback, networking events and a culture that encourages open communication and self-reflection, allowing leaders to develop new skills, expand their perspectives and take on greater responsibility within the organisation. Whether through coaching, peer support circles or leadership development workshops, organisations must commit
their
emerging and appointed leaders.
professionals who make significant contributions to the sector.
“We are incredibly honoured to receive these prestigious awards from PATWA,” said Mrs Jibrilu.
“Nassau & Paradise Island’s natural beauty and unparalleled marine tourism
joy in what I do. My passion lies in delivering and encouraging exceptional customer service. While we are not perfect, we consistently strive for excellence.”
Apart from her professional achievements, Ms Johnson is an active community member and spiritual leader. She has roles such as a protocol officer and an Elder in her local church.
Ms Johnson is as an avid traveller and promoter of Bahamian heritage. She has memories of exploring Bahamian cays and enjoying local cuisine prepared by her family or at local restaurants on Arawak Cay.
offerings continue to captivate travellers from around the world. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to excellence, and I am personally humbled to be acknowledged among the leaders in Caribbean tourism.”
Royal Caribbean honours its PI Beach Club women
ROYAL Caribbean
marked International Women’s Day by celebrating the women bringing its Paradise Island beach club to reality. From environmental monitoring to recruitment and construction, the women pictured are responsible for key elements of the development and operation of the 17-acre beach experience.
The first of the Royal Beach Club Collection is scheduled to open in December 2025. From the Bahamian food, culture, and staff, and a public-private partnership with The Bahamas, the venue combines the beauty and spirit of this nation with signature Royal Caribbean touches.
Pictured from L to R are: Eddina Taylor, recruiter, private destinations, Royal Caribbean; Shanda Curry, executive assistant, Royal Caribbean; Stacey Moultrie, SEV Consultants; Ebony Thompson, onboarding specialist, Royal Caribbean; Janeen Bullard, principal and environmental lead, JSS Consulting; Jessica Ferguson, talent acquisition manager, recruitment, Royal Caribbean; Stacy Lubin, director, environment and sustainability, Royal Caribbean; Tamanji Bethel, lead environmental specialist, JSS Consulting; Nahsaan Bain, recruitment co-ordinator, Royal Caribbean.
PACIFIC AREA TRAVEL WRITERS ASSOCIATION (PATWA) WINNERS
CONSUMER WATCHDOG PREDICTS HIGHER RECOVERIES DURING 2024
By FAY SIMMONS
THE Bahamas’ consumer protection watchdog has already recovered over $15,600 for aggrieved consumers just over two months into 2025,” its executive chairman said yesterday.
Speaking at the Office of the Prime Minister’s weekly media briefing, Senator Randy Rolle said the Consumer Protection Commission has successfully resolved 11 claims for the year-to-date, recovering
$15,664.02 for consumers who lodged complaints with the agency. A further 33 cases, worth a further $47,000 combined, are presently being investigated. Mr Rolle said the amount recovered so far is “an impressive figure” and projected full-year recoveries for consumers will exceed the more than $240,000 reclaimed from businesses in 2024.
“So far for 2025, our hard-working complaints and investigations department has successfully resolved 11 complaint matters, equalling a total dollar value of $15,664.02, with investigations into 33
NHI reforms under review
By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter
A CABINET minister yesterday said legislative reforms to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act are under review and “the cost for this policy decision will be revealed in due cost”.
Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, told the House of Assembly during the mid-year Budget debate that the amendments have has been worked on for two-and-a-half years “I foreshadowed my ministry’s plan to move the chronic drug prescription plan from NIB to the Ministry of Health and Wellness,” he said.
“Well, I’m pleased to report to this honourable house that the management of the NIB chronic drug prescription plan is now nested in the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Much work has already been done with our partners, from NIB, NHI to move this plan to its final destination, which is the National Health Insurance Authority.
“To facilitate this transition, I plan to lay a compendium of Bills, mainly the new NHI Bill 2025 that would repeal and replace the current NHI Act, along with amendments to the Pharmacy Act, the NIB Chronic Drug Prescription Plan Act,” Dr Darville added.
“The NHI is our baby, launched in 2016 under the PLP administration, and once again, fate will have it that we will continue the heavy lifting as we push forward to the second phase, which is Universal Catastrophic Health Insurance.
“The member for East Grand Bahama lambasted our administration about placing VAT on medication and bread basket items and, for cheap political points, he tried to paint a picture that all of us on this side are insensitive, cold and have become callous… as far from the truth,” Dr Darville continued.
“I need to spend a few minutes to correct the misconception laid by the member for East Grand Bahama because, if the truth be told, our administration is heading in the right direction, implementing a more robust, universal primary health care coverage.
“As It stands, the NIB chronic drug prescription plan, now managed by my ministry and currently providing free drugs for chronic non-communicable diseases for just over 44,000 Bahamians, mainly governed by healthcare workers and their families.
“Once transferred to NHI, the 160,000-plus registered NHI members who suffer from chronic non communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancers, renal insufficiency, mental illness and other illnesses will finally have access to life changing medications free of charge.”
Dr Darville said: “This is a huge initiative by our administration, and will change medical outcomes. While the member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama was referencing VAT on prescription drugs, our administration will be offering free medications to Bahamian citizens across the country suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases.
“Yes, under the complete universal primary health care package, NHI patients will see the doctor free, will get lab and diagnostics free and, very soon, medications for chronic non-communicable diseases will be provided free of charge in both the private and public sector for those clinics who receive or accept NHI. Yes, you heard it right, free medications for chronic non-communicable diseases for patients with NHI across the country in both the public and private sector.”
Mr Darville said the new NHI Bill, coupled with the 50 percent VAT cut on store bought, uncooked food items, will help healthcare in The Bahamas. He noted the same in January when former health minister, Dr Duane Sands, commented on obesity in the country.
other cases still ongoing with a total dollar value of $47,000,” he said.
“This is an impressive figure, and a strong indication that this year’s closing-out figures shall substantially increase on last year’s total figures of 444 complaints and the Commission’s dollar recovery value of $240,425.50”
Mr Rolle said the Commission is also working with the private sector and relevant government agencies to combat unfair trade practices and ensure stronger enforcement of laws. He added that price gouging takes advantage of consumer vulnerabilities
and impedes their ability to access essential goods. The Commission (CPC) regularly conducts site visits on providers known to engage in the practice.
“Working in tandem with the Ministry of Labour, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, Bahamas Trade Commission and Price Control, the CPC is working towards stronger enforcement of laws in regard to this particular type of violation,” said Mr Rolle.
“The Consumer Protection Act 2023, which gives the CPC its legislative powers, addresses certain expectations of providers of goods and services, and
Minister: US tariff impact on tourist market fears
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
A CABINET minister
yesterday said the greatest concern sparked by the present US trade and tariff hike policy is the impact it has on key tourism source markets rather than inflation at home.
Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, said the Government is monitoring the fall-out from Donald Trump’s constantlychanging tariff policies with respect to US imports from Canada and Mexico. The imposition of 25 percent tariffs on goods from both countries was delayed by another month yesterday.
Mr Halkitis said there are concerns over how the tariffs will impact the US, Canadian and, potentially, European Union (EU) economies and if a global recession will result depending on how protracted the situation is,
“In speaking about this whole tariff scenario, what concerns me more as a minister is the potential impact it has on the economy of the US, economy of Canada, the economy in Europe because there’s threats about expanding these tariffs,” said Mr Halkitis.
“How do they impact the industries? How do they impact economic growth? If
they are implemented and persist, are we looking at a potential recession?” Mr Halkitis said there are also concerns about how US tariffs will affect the prices of Chinese goods imported into The Bahamas through the US.
Mr Halkitis noted that, while inflation has been trending downward over the past several months, a trade war could jeopardise this progress.
certainly price gougingespecially beyond bread basket items - qualifies as unfair trade practices, which falls within the purview of CPC.
“This is why my team continues to conduct site visits and inspect shelves of various providers, especially - borrowing the term from the police - ‘those that are known to us’.” Mr Rolle said the Commission is also drafting a proposal, with amendments to the Consumer Protection Act, that will address price gouging and expand on the obligations of merchants and the penalties for violations.
“This is certainly a source of contention for consumers, and my team and my board of Commissioners are still in discussions and crafting our advisory proposal for [economic affairs minister] Michael Halkitis in regards to suggesting the amendments to our Act that will speak in depth specifically to this violation,” said Mr Rolle. “I feel that once it is spelled out in layman’s terms, and obligations and penalties are plain as day, persons see that we as a Commission are serious about addressing and forcing the right of consumers.”
“The tariffs they put on goods coming from China, and then those things are routed through the US to here, what’s the impact on consumer prices, inflation, etc, which has been coming down. With this new round of trade war, is all that in jeopardy? That is what concerns us more,” said Mr Halkitis.
“We’re observing. We’re seeing what happens in
terms of the tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and the US. How that impacts their major industries, and if it should impact them seriously, does that lead to economic downturn in those markets, and how does that impact us in terms of our tourism industry? So we continue to observe it, but those are the things that are more on our mind.” Yesterday, Mr Trump postponed 25 percent tariffs on many imports from Mexico and some imports from Canada for a month. A first round of Canadian retaliation, targeting $21bn of US goods, is already in effect. However, a second wave of retaliatory tariffs on additional U.S. goods worth $87bn billion has been postponed.
MICHAEL HALKITIS
‘Everybody is scared as hell’ on mounting Trump tariff confusion
FROM PAGE B1
choice but to raise prices” as they have no short-term
“Plan B” alternative.
“Everybody is scared as hell right now,” Mr Turnquest said of the everchanging US trade and tariff policy. “I deal mainly with electronics and clothing retailers. Unfortunately, speaking with one of our members, he told me some of his product shipments had to be held up because of what happened. When he ordered them from vendors they had no tariffs on them.
“The price they gave him did not include the tariffs, but when he went back to get out the shipment - it was not his fault - he said they could not ship it at that price because of the 25 percent tariff because the clothing came from Mexico. He’s now dismayed. He’s thinking: ‘How could it happen so soon?’
“The vendor withheld the shipment for a couple
of days because of the uncertainty. There is serious uncertainty in the US with reference to shipping anything from Canada or Mexico. A lot of vendors and clients of mine are saying some of the shipments are being held up because they don’t want the burden of buying or selling something and then find out they have to absorb a tariff cost at the back end.”
Mr Turnquest said many of his Bahamian SME clients are already “feeling the pinch” from the inconsistent US tariff policy, which has presently made it impossible to plan and budget accordingly. Tariffs are taxes levied by countries on imported goods coming across their borders, with the Trump administration justifying its stance by arguing Canada and Mexico are not doing enough to curb migrant and illegal narcotics flows.
Trade chief
FROM PAGE B1
suppliers of grocery items such as canned goods, meats and produce to reduce the cost of imports.
“Our goal is simply to slash the price of as many goods as possible over the short-term, and so what has happened with eggs is only the beginning. We are here to announce that we expect a 20 percent to 60 percent decrease of a new round of products over the shortterm,” said Mr Griffin.
“Everything from chicken and poultry, pork, beef, kidney beans, lima beans, limes; a whole slew of canned goods, such as tuna, sardines, corned beef, rice, all things that we are currently getting from various suppliers, mostly in the United States. But when we
The Bahamas, as a small, import-dependent economy that relies on external goods for most of its consumption, is especially vulnerable to tariffs and a potential ‘trade war’. Besides feeding into local inflation and further raising the cost of goods consumed in The Bahamas, the Trump policies also threaten to reduce American consumer confidence and disposable income. Should that outcome occur, The Bahamas may see a slowdown in visitor numbers in its major industry, tourism. The worst possible outcome for this nation would be stagflation - inflation and a global recession occurring at the same time, which would likely result in job losses in The Bahamas.
Mr Turnquest, warning that no Bahamian will likely be spared if Mr Trump reinstates 25 percent tariffs on all Mexican and Canadian imports in a month’s
time, warned of his clients: “They don’t have ‘Plan B’ right now. It’s very chaotic. They said the only thing they can do, all they have in common, is they have no choice but to raise prices to stay in business. When they re-order they will have to pay more.
“Right now, a lot of them said they don’t have a ‘Plan B’ for the next three months other than to pass on the price increase to their customers. They said this is the first time such an immediate impact of a price hike has been felt so soon. They got what I call blindsided in such a way that they have no alternative strategy in the short-term.”
With US-based freight companies and vendors also grappling with Mr Trump’s constantly-evolving tariff strategy, Mr Turnquest added: “It’s having a tremendously negative effect on my clients and they don’t have a ‘Plan B’. The
uncertainty about these tariffs; is he going to add, not going to add? It’s causing chaos and mass confusion.
We’re feeling it right now.
“I can tell you one thing. Prices are going up immediately when tariffhit shipments come in. For wholesale and retail customers, prices will increase. There’s no spin to that. These tariffs will be a huge burden on small and medium-sized entrepreneurs in this country.
We are in trouble in the short-term. We don’t know what’s going on in Trump’s head. We don’t like to operate with this type of uncertainty.”
Mr Trump yesterday appeared to pull back yet again from the brink of a trade war with his country’s major trading partners by delaying the imposition of tariffs on Mexico and Canada for another month.
Two days after imposing sweeping 25 percent tariffs
pledges 60% slash in key food prices
go directly to the sources in Latin America and the Caribbean, we’re able to bring these goods at a much cheaper rate.”
Mr Griffin said the private sector is a key partner in the initiative, and participants only have to ensure they pass their savings on to the consumer. “The only thing we ask of our partners in this initiative is to make sure that those cost savings are passed on to Bahamians,” he added.
“Just as you’ve seen with the eggs, where eggs in some places went from $15 and $16 to $3 and $4, our plan is to work very closely with industry to make this happen. This programme is a government-supported and government-facilitated programme, but the private sector is really the driver
of this. We’re working with our private sector partners to make this happen.”
Mr Griffin said consumers can expect to see price reductions by summer following a trade mission to Panama and Ecuador in April, which will allow Bahamian retailers and wholesalers to visit and inspect factories and goods before placing orders.
“These things are happening right now before your very eyes. As you can see, the egg prices have already dropped. We’ve been working for a long time with other businesses behind the scenes. There is now a group of Bahamian wholesalers and retailers who will be doing a mission to Panama and Ecuador at the beginning of April,” said Mr Griffin.
“The idea is that once they go to these factories, see everything in action, verify for themselves the quality of the products, they’ll order right on the spot. We can expect a shipment from those countries within weeks, and so we can say positively that, by summer, we hope to see a vast reduction in a lot of the most frequently-used and consumed goods that every Bahamian uses.”
Mr Griffin said Bahamian companies must diversify their supplier sources to ensure prices remain competitive, and many Latin American countries export goods to large nations, such as the US, our largest trading partner.
“The reality is we must go to countries that have a competitive advantage in producing certain goods. We’re not going to be able to produce everything here in-country, and we’re not be able going to be able to get the best cost on these goods
if we go to a single jurisdiction,” he explained.
“The reality is that countries in Latin America specialise in commodities, specialise in fruits and vegetables, and specialise in the production of meat and poultry. They’ve become experts in these things, and they export all over the world.
“The very same products that we’re importing here in this country, they’re importing in the United States, they’re importing in Canada, they’re importing all throughout Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, Europe.”
Mr Griffin added that all suppliers are legitimate and have been verified by their governments as providing high-quality goods for export.
“We’re working with legitimate and verified suppliers, working with the various governments around the world to ensure that we’re working with the best companies and the
on all imports both countries, the US president announced that duties on a wide range of products would be shelved until April.
Tariffs on Chinese goods imported into the US, though, remain doubled at 20 percent. Mr Trump had pledged to target Canada and Mexico with tariffs on his first day back in the White House but, upon his return, said he was considering imposing the levies at the start of February. Last month, he offered Canada and Mexico a one-month delay at the 11th hour.
The Trump administration appears to be using tariffs as a tool to wrest economic and other concessions from other countries. But businesses, both inside the US and worldwide, have warned of significant damage to companies and consumers if it pushes ahead with this strategy.
best suppliers, so that Bahamians receive high quality products in this country,” said Mr Griffin.
The National Trade Diversification programme is also working with building suppliers to source high quality materials such as cement and steel at lower prices.
“The work we’re doing in the trade programme does not only extend to the food industry. The other big industry we’re looking at tackling is building supplies and the construction industry. Right now, behind the scenes, we’re working with local retailers and wholesalers and international companies to provide lower cost but still high-quality building supplies,” said Mr Griffin.
“We expect that we can see, in the short-term, things such as cheaper cement and steel that are a big part of building in this country. When we say we lowering the cost of living, it’s not just food, but it’s all the things that are added to have that burden of a high cost of living in The Bahamas.”
Ex-PM blasts ‘$1bn’ moorings monopoly
“immediately” be referred to the newly-created anticorruption watchdog, the Independent Commission for Investigations, once all officers and Board members are appointed.
He also urged his successor, Prime Minister Philip Davis KC, “to fire” Sandra Kemp, his office’s deputy director of communications, if she failed to resign over the Bahamas Moorings affair. She witnessed the 21-year lease’s signing on behalf of the company, in which her husband was one of its principals, even though she is an employee of the Government which is a counterparty in the deal.
“I told them that, in 2018, we had looked at it,” Dr Minnis said of a national moorings strategy, and we were going to do an Authority or PPP so that all the monies only go and fund Family Island local governments so that they can advance their islands.
At that time, we projected [it could generate] $40m$50m a year.”
That figure included all islands bar New Providence. Based on the 21-year lease granted to Bahamas Moorings, and the seeming exclusivity granted to it along with the deal’s apparent extension beyond the Exumas, Dr Minnis said if his administration’s annual revenue estimate proved accurate this would have translated into a $1.05bn earnings bonanza across the project’s lifetime.
The ex-prime minister described his administration’s plans for mooring fee income as akin to the funds generated by The Bahamas’ newly-implemented air navigation services fees, which are supposed to finance this nation’s civil aviation regulatory regime and eliminate the need for the latter to be subsidised by the Bahamian taxpayer.
“There should be a national plan for an Authority as we were saying,” Dr Minnis added, “and any money received
used for development of the Family Islands. There are some Family Islands that do not generate as much, so they would get extra from the Fund that would have been set up. It cannot just go into the hands of a few individuals.”
Conceding that his administration’s discussions “didn’t get far”, due to Dorian and COVID’s intervention, the Killarney MP described the Bahamas Moorings deal structure as “not right”. He added: “What happened is we were trying to make Exuma a Bahamian boating riviera. We have the swimming pigs, we have the dripping caves of Exuma, we have the turtles, we have swimming with the sharks.”
Demanding that the Bahamas Moorings deal be sent to the Independent Commission of Investigations for further probing, Dr Minnis said: “If they are serious about combating corruption that should be referred to the Independent Commission of
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
The Public is hereby advised that I, DWAYNE PEREZ JOLLY, of #5 Bently Drive P.O. Box F-44349, Nassau, The Bahamas, intend to change my name to DWAIN PEREZE JOLLY If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Offcer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
They [the Government] got caught. That’s all.”
As for Mrs Kemp’s role in witnessing the lease on behalf of Bahamas Moorings, even though she is employed by the Government, Dr Minnis blasted: “She should resign. In the absence of her resignation, the Prime Minister has a responsibility to fire her. As a result of her actions and this conflict of interest she must do the honourable thing and resign as deputy director of communications.
“The Prime Minister should demand her resignation immediately and, if the Prime Minister does not demand her resignation, it means he condones such conflicts of interest in his administration. It’s the Prime Minister who must clean up the mess from this scandal. If he does not, it’s clear what message he is sending to the Bahamian people.”
Investigations as soon as it is appointed.
“The Prime Minister should make a statement to say this matter will be referred in the interests of transparency, and to show it is serious, to the Independent Commission of Investigations. It went through the debate. They said they were serious about transparency, corruption and honesty. They established the Commission. Now they have one that should go there immediately.
“It’s serious. They gave a $50m a year deal to whoever these oligarchs are.
The Prime Minister’s Office, in announcing that both sides had “mutually agreed” that the Bahamas Moorings deal would not proceed, said Mrs Kemp’s role in witnessing the lease’s signing is “under review”. It also quickly announced it plans to develop a national moorings strategy and undertake an inventory of existing moorings - moves likely to be an effort to distract from Bahamas Moorings itself.
Tribune Business previously revealed that many of those involved in the Bahamas Moorings Company deal have close links to the Office of the Prime Minister and senior persons who work in it. The
Legal Notice NOTICE
PATH LTD.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders of PATH LTD., is hereby called to be held at Registered Ofce of the Company, AMICORP BAHAMAS MANAGEMENT LIMITED in the City of Nassau, Bahamas on the 3rd day of April 2025 at 10:00 o’clock in the forenoon. Te object and purpose of said meeting is to have laid before the Shareholders of the Company the accounts of the Liquidator, AMICORP BAHAMAS MANAGEMENT LIMITED showing the manner in which the winding up of the Company has been conducted and also to hear any explanation that may be given by said Liquidator.
Dated the 5th day of March 2025.
AMICORP BAHAMAS MANAGEMENT LIMITED LIQUIDATOR of PATH LTD.
two principals named in the lease, in particular, both have long-standing ties to Jerome Fitzgerald, the Prime Minister’s senior policy adviser. Philip A. Kemp II is a long-standing business associate of Mr Fitzgerald, the two having been part of the failed BK Foods to acquire the now-defunct City Markets supermarket chain. They later participated in the Trans-Island Traders deal that acquired the same business just prior to its collapse, with Mr Kemp becoming its chief financial officer. A City Markets-related e-mail, sent to Tribune Business at that time, was also copied to Philip A. Kemp II. And Raymond Christian Knowles, better known by his middle name, is a boat captain with the ‘Pieces of 8’ tour boat and charter operator, where he is described as “a 30-year veteran on the open waters” who has worked as a commercial fisherman. Mr Fitzgerald, in a 2021 interview with Tribune Business, neither confirmed nor denied when asked whether he had an ownership interest in the company.
There are also further connections involving Bahamas Moorings’ address. This newspaper’s own records, plus a VAT registrants list from 2016, reveal that 138 Wulff Road was also once the home of Bahamas Cargo & Logistics (BCL), a company owned by Mr Fitzgerald’s family. Tribune Business previously reported yesterday how a bill of lading, detailing Bahamas Moorings’
importation of anchors and link chains from China, gives the company’s address as Suite No.5, 138 Wulff Road. That is now the address of Cubix Bahamas which, like Bahamas Cargo & Logistics, is also a shipping company and freight forwarder.
And Mrs Kemp states on her Linkedin page that she has served as “head of marketing communications” for Cubix Bahamas from March 2018 to the “present”. Bahamas Moorings, as part of its lease deal with the Government, committed to installing 250 moorings at 49 locations in the Exumas via an investment worth $2.5m. In return for leasing a total 4,615 acres from the Government for 21 years, with effect from February 1, 2025, it had agreed to pay an annual rent equal to 3 percent of gross revenue collected from boaters plus 10 percent VAT. Bahamas Moorings had proposed to charge fees ranging from $25 to $135 per day depending on vessel length, plus fees of between $170 and $250 per day for “super yachts” mooring at its ‘taper buoys again depending on length. Anchorage fees range from 55 cents per foot per day to $1.10 per foot per day, again depending on boat length. Bahamas Moorings argued that its mooring/anchorage plan would bring order to the present chaos on Bahamian waters by giving boats and yachts designated points where they can tie up, thus preventing damage to the seabed, coral reefs and other ecosystems from anchors dragging.
Legal Notice NOTICE
PATH LTD.
(In Voluntary Liquidation)
Creditors having debts or claims against the above-named Company are required to send particulars thereof to the undersigned c/o Amicorp Bahamas Management Limited, of 3rd Floor Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Street in the City of Nassau, Bahamas, on or before the 18th day of March 2025. In default thereof they will be excluded from the beneft of any distribution made by the Liquidator.
Dated the 5th day of March 2025.
AMICORP BAHAMAS MANAGEMENT LIMITED LIQUIDATOR of PATH LTD.
ELIZABETH HARBOUR MOORINGS BOUY
Sarkis wins bid for ‘examiner’ of CCA
Corporation (CSCEC). All are owned by the Chinese government, and Judge Gravelle also enabled Mr Izmirlian and his BML Properties vehicle to petition for the examiner to be appointed at an earlier date.
The only involvement that CCA and its parent will have in the process is “to determine the scope and budget for the examiner’s investigation”. Mr Izmirlian had urged that an independent examiner be appointed to probe CCA Construction’s preChapter 11 bankruptcy protection dealings with other CCA affiliates for alleged “fraud, dishonesty, incompetence, misconduct, mismanagement” or other irregularities.
He and his BML Properties vehicle, in filings with the New Jersey federal bankruptcy court, argued that the examiner’s appointment was justified because CCA Construction Inc has shown “clear bias” against themselves even though the damages awarded against the Chinese state-owned contractor makes Mr
Izmirlian its largest creditor by far. With no official creditors committee likely to be appointed, and China Construction Inc purportedly “stonewalling” Mr Izmirlian’s information requests following its December 22, 2024, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, Baha Mar’s original developer argued that appointing an independent examiner would be the best way to protect all creditors given the contractor’s “history of serious - and already proven - fraud claims”.
“Based on CCA’s clear bias against BML Properties - its largest creditor by orders of magnitude - it is apparent that CCA is not acting as a true fiduciary for its estate,” Mr Izmirlian argued. “Exacerbating the situation, no official creditors’ committee will be formed by the Office of the United States Trustee for this district, and CCA has stonewalled BML Properties’ requests for information.....
“CCA’s insistence that all future requests for information go through formal discovery, rather than freely disclosing the information requested by the estate’s largest creditor, bespeaks the level of obstruction that CCA (likely acting at the behest of CSCEC) will impose on these proceedings. Rather than efficiently providing information,
applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of March, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
CCA insists on making BML Properties’ efforts to obtain information as complicated and costly as possible.
“For these reasons, BML Properties seeks the appointment of an independent examiner to investigate.. the dealings between CCA and its nominal affiliates to identify instances of fraud, dishonesty, incompetence, misconduct, mismanagement or irregularity in the management of CCA’s affairs in the lead up to, and throughout, this Chapter 11 case.”
And Baha Mar’s original developer further argued: “An examiner will serve at least three important functions. One, allowing an independent investigation into claims that CCA’s estate may possess that could significantly enhance creditor recoveries, including potential avoidance actions, alter ego claims and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
“Two, protecting the interests of creditors and the public at large, and three, providing stakeholders, the US trustee and the court with much needed transparency that the debtor has resisted in this Chapter 11 case. Because CCA’s fixed, liquidated and unsecured debts well exceed $5m, the appointment of an examiner is mandatory under binding third circuit precedent.
“Moreover, an examiner is in the best interests of CCA’s creditors given the history of serious - and already proven - allegations of fraud. An examiner should thus be appointed, and BML Properties respectfully requests that it be granted broad investigatory powers.”
CCA, though, hit back by accusing Mr Izmirlian of seeking to “circumvent” the Bahamian courts by using its US Chapter 11 protection as a “springboard” to pursue the winding-up of its two Nassau hotels.
The Chinese state-owned contractor had asserted in its February 6, 2025, legal filings that Mr Izmirlian would seek to use the examiner’s findings to support his bid to wind-up both CCA (Bahamas) and CSCEC (Bahamas) before the Supreme Court in Nassau. The former serves as the immediate parent for both CCA’s Bahamian resort interests, the British Colonial and Margaritaville Beach Resort.
CCA Inc, in urging the court to reject this move, claimed such an appointment would be premature and a waste of valuable time, assets and resources that would deplete the company’s estate to the advantage of other creditors.
And it repeated claims that it was incorrectly held liable for the $1.642bn fraud and breach of
Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of March, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and
contract damages awarded to Mr Izmirlian and his BML Properties vehicle, instead pinning all the blame on CCA (Bahamas), which it branded “a remote affiliate”. CCA Inc argued that the New York court had wrongly “pierced the corporate veil” by using New York, as opposed to Bahamian, law for this test.
“The examiner motion filed by BML Properties is a transparent attempt to rewrite the facts and circumstances leading up to and following CCA’s Chapter 11 filing, all in support of BML Properties’ ongoing prosecution of claims against CCA’s litigation co-defendants in New York and The Bahamas,” CCA Inc and its attorneys alleged.
“This court should resist BML Properties’ invitation to use CCA’s good-faith Chapter 11 filing as a springboard to pursue its non-bankruptcy enforcement efforts against non-debtors, circumventing the jurisdiction of the Bahamian court in which BML Properties has already brought an enforcement action..”
That “enforcement action” is the winding-up petition filed against CCA (Bahamas) and CSCEC (Bahamas), the other two entities which - besides CCA Inc - have been held liable for the multi-billion dollar damages awarded to Mr Izmirlian.
CCA Inc’s latest filings, though, make crystal clear that filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection was always the plan if Baha
Mar’s original developer won his New York case so as to prevent him from being able to enforce his judgment against its assets. CCA (Bahamas) and CSCEC (Bahamas), being domiciled in this nature, do not have access to the equivalent protection.
“BML Properties wants to rush directly to an investigation that would benefit its own ongoing litigation against CCA’s non-debtor affiliates. Ironically, the examiner motion is a thinly-veiled attempt by BML Properties to use estate resources and hijack the Chapter 11 process for its own benefit – the very kind of behaviour of which BML Properties has baselessly accused CCA...,” the Chinese state-owned contractor added.
“The court should decline to authorise BML Properties efforts to weaponise [Chapter 11] into an estatefunded ‘fishing expedition’. BML Properties should not be permitted to leverage CCA’s legitimate need for bankruptcy protection as a means to pursue scorchedearth discovery tactics in pursuit of enforcing BML Properties’ judgment against non-debtors at the expense of CCA’s estate.” The winding-up petitions were filed in the Bahamian Supreme Court against CCA (Bahamas) and CSCEC (Bahamas) on the basis that they are insolvent. Tribune Business previously reported that both sides have been negotiating a socalled “protective order” governing how confidential documents and other evidence - disclosed as part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection process involving CCA Inc - will be treated.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that ANTHONY DULCIO of Blueberry Hill, Fox Hill, New Providence, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 28th day of February, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that LLOYD ANTHONY CODN of P.O. Box GT2159 #167 Mermaids Boulevard South, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of March, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O.
Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 28th day of February, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O.
Realtor’s ‘fast track’ via expansion to Eleuthera
confirmed that the MCR Better Homes and Gardens sales team on the island includes two prominent Bahamas resort executives who have made the career switch from tourism to property.
They are Carlton Russell, the former Atlantis senior executive fresh from a stint as The Cove Eleuthera’s managing director, where he oversaw the property’s $64m redevelopment during the latest state in a 30-year hotel career, as well as Dean Spychalla. His career includes working at Resorts International’s Paradise Island
Resort & Casino; Grand Isle Resort & Residences in Exuma; and Valentines Resort & Marina on Harbour Island. He has also won The Bahamas hotelier of the year award.
“It’s a very good team, they bring a lot to the table, and we got off to a very good start,” Mr Carey said of the Governor’s Harbour office’s official opening last Saturday. “Everything about that has been spot on. We see the Eleuthera real estate market as brisk. “I think Eleuthera has a couple of things going for it. Even though the infrastructure is not there, and the Government is not doing as much as it could, I still
think it’s affordable, I think it’s still accessible with a lot of accommodation points.
“I think there’s a lot of money about to flow to Eleuthera. You cannot find decent resort opportunities in New Providence any more. The business model there [Eleuthera] is very high-end, boutique like the Four Seasons model, plus you have the Potlatch Club and The Cove,” the MCR Better Homes and Gardens chief added.
“There are a lot of entrytype resorts in Eleuthera. I would rate things very highly, and rate them very highly, for a lot of different properties. There are entry level lots for $50,000,
cottages where the demand is still high. There’s enough for the ultra wealthy, and there’s no plans for high rises.”
Mr Carey said Eleuthera offers something distinct and differentiated from New Providence’s real estate market. “Nassau has taken on the identity of a city,” he explained. “It’s an island with a city, but Eleuthera is going to protect itself from that. The highest you will get there is maybe two storeys.
“There’s just enough for people to do. Enough nature, enough roads, enough for people to keep busy if they want to keep busy and, if they don’t want
Trump’s trade war draws swift retaliation with new tariffs from
By JOSH BOAK, PAUL WISEMAN and ROB GILLIES Associated Press
PRESIDENT Donald
Trump launched a trade war Tuesday against America's three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China and sending financial
Mexico, Canada and China
markets into a tailspin as the U.S. faced the threat of rekindled inflation and paralyzing uncertainty for business.
Just after midnight, Trump imposed 25% taxes, or tariffs, on Mexican and Canadian imports, though he limited the levy to 10% on Canadian energy. Trump also doubled the tariff he
slapped last month on Chinese products to 20%.
Beijing retaliated with tariffs of up to 15% on a wide array of U.S. farm exports. It also expanded the number of U.S. companies subject to export controls and other restrictions by about two dozen.
In an address to Congress Tuesday night, Trump repeated two different
explanations for his tariffs on Canada and Mexico. He cited the trade deficits the U.S. has with both countries, but also said, "they've allowed fentanyl to come into our country at levels never seen before, killing hundreds of thousands of our citizens."
Trump also acknowledged there could be "a little disturbance" from the
to be busy, exclusivity and privacy. There’s enough for everybody. There’s a lot of airlift, a lot of freight.”
Recalling Saturday’s opening, Mr Carey said he met “with a lot of influencers on Eleuthera” who seemed keen to meet the company and its principals. He added that the entire MCR Better Homes and Gardens team was present at the opening given that the firm has multiple links to Eleuthera. “We’ve had walk-ins since we’ve been open from Saturday,” Mr Carey said. “I think things will fast track in a good way. I think we’re going to be very instrumental in that market.
tariffs, a possible nod to the stock market's sharp falls in the past two days as well as concerns about inflation.
"It may be a little bit of an adjustment period," he said after claiming that farmers would benefit from reciprocal tariffs on countries that have tariffs on U.S. exports. "You have to bear with me again and this will be even better." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country would plaster tariffs on over $100 billion (U.S. dollars) of American goods over the course of 21 days.
Our formula is that we’re doing sales but we’re also very community minded. We’ve taken on three community initiatives that are getting some traction.
“We know real estate, and can move in all sectors of the market. It’s a huge investment and commitment, but my team believes in the vision. We see the benefits. We have a very small operation in Harbour Island that is home based. We’re getting ready to to go land-based. We’re trying to serve Governor’s Harbour and Central Eleuthera. It’s a substantial investment and commitment of our team.”
"Today the United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend. At the same time, they are talking about working positively with Russia, appeasing Vladimir Putin, a lying, murderous dictator. Make that make sense," Trudeau said.
Later in the day, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the U.S. would likely meet Canada and Mexico "in the middle," with an announcement coming as soon as Wednesday.
