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BAHAMAS: Government’s overriding immediate priority to bring public finances to a responsible state

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#Nassau, June 8, 2018 – Bahamas – The government’s overriding immediate priority must be to bring the public finances to a responsible and sustainable state by: paying off and getting behind it the mountain of arrears and unpaid bills that it has discovered since coming to office, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest.

The government must also fully institute proper budgeting for known commitments, including accrual accounting, such that arrears never again materialise; responsibly finance the highest priority initiatives in its agenda; and finally eliminate the GFS deficit in the shortest time practicable, in effect over three fiscal years, said DPM Turnquest said during his Contribution opening the 2018/19 Budget Debate in the House of Assembly, Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

“To achieve all of that, we have developed a fiscal strategy that, unlike the previous Government’s Medium Term Fiscal Consolidation Plan, comprises concrete and specific actions that will secure the attainment of our objectives.”

He said in 2018/19, the Government held a very tight rein on Recurrent Expenditure – other than allocating $172 million to the payment of a large first tranche of arrears, a further $76 million to the proper budgeting of known spending obligations and $89 million for additional interest payments, essentially kept all other Recurrent Expenditure constant, with reallocations to fund the small number of select priority initiatives that we announced in the Communication totaling some $19 million.

“In fact, 24 of the 53 Heads, excluding interest payments, saw reductions in their budget allocations and 3 were given an increase under 1.5 per cent.  Of course, we also cut our spending on both the wage bill and goods and services in the current fiscal year by 10.3 per cent, or $120 million.”

The DPM said the focused Recurrent Expenditure initiatives are targeted at promoting enhanced growth and skills development, such as the $5 million in support for Small and medium Enterprises development, the $4 million for college student recruitment, the $2.6 million for BTVI scholarships and the $5 million for inclusive growth in heritage or foundation communities.

He said the Government is also striving to promote the diversification of the economy through both the digital economy and the blue economy; to enhance trade opportunities through membership in the World Trade Organization; and to provide growth-supportive public infrastructure investments.

DPM Turnqest said the Government is proceeding with the longstanding plans to transform the Ministry of Finance, and re-activating the Inter-American Development project to reform the Public Financial Management system.  He said, “We are moving to reform and modernize the State-Owned Enterprises such that they become significantly more efficient and self-sufficient.”

The Finance Minister also noted that the Government is pushing ahead with the fundamental structural reform of Real Property Tax and Customs, both of which are in need of modernization such that they can efficiently serve the public and properly generate the revenue streams that they should.  “To that end, we are re-energizing the Revenue Enhancement Unit that had become dormant under the previous Government.”

He said in the interim, the Real Property Tax and Customs administrations have been given direction to shape up their operations to the maximum extent feasible in order to generate an additional $80 million in revenue in the 2018/19 fiscal year.

 

By: Llonella Gilbert (BIS)

Photo Caption: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest in the House of Assembly, June 6, 2018.

(BIS Photo/Yontalay Bowe)

 

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Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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