Bahamas News
Prime Minister Davis says that the 2024/2025 budget serves as ‘a pivot’ towards a new era for The Bahamas
By ERIC ROSE
Bahamas Information Services
NASSAU, The Bahamas – During his Contribution on the 2024/2025 Budget Debate, on June 5, 2024, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Hon. Philip Davis stated that the budget served as a pivot towards a new era for The Bahamas.
“We continue our commitment to fiscal consolidation, to reduce the budget deficit, and to usher in the fundamental changes needed to develop a modern economy that works for the benefit of all Bahamians,” Prime Minister Davis said in the House of Assembly.
He added: “Directly or indirectly, everyone benefits from this budget. As the purchasers of our bonds have benefitted since 2021, so too our citizens have also richly benefitted. It may not land as obviously as tax cuts do, but, given the economic crisis of 2021, we are extremely proud of the fact that our administration did not increase taxes on our citizens. Bahamians were struggling and we were determined to do all that we could not to increase the tax burden.
“And so we launched a strategy not to increase taxes, but instead to focus our efforts on tax collection.”
Prime Minister noted that with in excess of $1 Billion of uncollected tax revenue on the books, the potential was obvious. He added that all Bahamians benefited from the host of additional measures which his Government introduced to revive and stimulate the
economy.
Prime Minister pointed out that some of those measures included his Government’s decreasing the VAT rate from 12% to 10%, increasing the minimum wage, and increasing salaries for the public sector employees.
“Additionally, we also reduced VAT on property transactions for Bahamians, expanded the first home exemption programme to include triplexes, and exempted VAT on the construction of homes,” he said. “The Real Property Tax owner exempt threshold was increased to $300,000 and the duty on electric and hybrid vehicles reduced to 10%.”
“Churches, unions and non-profit organizations have also been exempted from the payment of real property taxes,” Prime Minister Davis added. “We also reduced duties on a wide range of building materials and food, including chicken meat.
“This is only a sample of the ways in which Bahamians have benefited from the three budgets which my Administration has implemented. And all of it was done without increasing taxes.”
Prime Minister Davis noted that, while his Government had adjusted some fees to cover the cost of the services that it provided, those fee adjustments over the last three years “pale in comparison to the reduction in taxes that we have provided.”
“Fee adjustments include, for example, this year’s introduction of a new fee to allow for the home delivery of passports for Bahamians residing in the United States, Canada and Europe and other parts of the world,” he noted. “Notwithstanding these adjustments, since coming into office, revenue has grown at a faster pace than the real economy has grown.”
“So, those who point out that we are projecting revenue to grow faster than GDP only need look at our recent experience to understand our confidence,” Prime Minister Davis added. “Our strategy for revenue administration is working.” Prime Minister Davis said that one of the fundamentals which underpinned that was the fact that, at that time, the major revenue driver was the strong inflow from Foreign Direct Investment.
“Foreign Direct Investment is a critical indicator of the confidence which international investors have in our administration,” he noted. “My Government has never planned to burden ordinary citizens with tax increases in order to drive revenue.
“I cannot stress enough how much this has benefited the Bahamian people.”
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
