Bahamas News
Six Main Tax Benefits Available under the Government’s Special Economic Recovery Zone Order
#Nassau, 2 December, 2019 – Bahamas – Acting Controller of Inland Revenue, Gaynell Rolle said the Department of Inland Revenue and the Customs Department (the revenue collecting agencies of the Government), have been working hard to put systems and processes in place to implement the package of tax breaks that will be part of the Government’s new special economic recovery zone order 2019, which is called the SERZ Order for short.
During a press conference at the Department of Inland Revenue, Thursday, November 28, Ms. Rolle explained that the tax benefits under the SERZ Order will take effect on December 1, 2019 and expire on June 30, 2020.
“They apply only to the recovery zones, which are the islands of Grand Bahama, Abaco and the surrounding cays and to individuals and businesses that are resident to those affected islands.”
She said there are six main tax benefits that are available under the order and they will be found at the border, the cash register and with the tax collector.
The benefits include:
· Tax free importation of goods directly into the recovery zones. This applies to cargo directly imported into Grand Bahama, Abaco and the surrounding cays.
· VAT-free purchase of goods inside the recovery zones, this applies to goods purchased inside the zone.
· Duty-free and VAT-free replacement of vehicles and boats.
· Relief from all business license fees
· Real Property Tax relief for improved property.
· Discounted VAT on the sale of Real Property.
Mrs. Rolle said, “These tax breaks will allow individuals affected by the catastrophic Hurricane Dorian to rebuild their lives more affordably and with greater speed.”
They include a wide range of items from building supplies, furniture and office equipment to fishing and farming supplies, medicine and personal hygiene products. The list includes water, fruits and vegetables and other unprepared and prepared foods, including food sold at restaurants.
At the cash register in Abaco and Grand Bahama, consumers will effectively pay no VAT on most items available locally. Consumers just shop within the recovery areas and approved items will be VAT-free at the cash register.
The Acting Controller said for Direct Cargo Imports at the border in Grand Bahama, Abaco and the surrounding cays, certified individuals and businesses will have the benefit of tax free imports on approved items.
She stressed that pre-approval by the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Inland Revenue is required for presentation at the border.
“This process requires individuals and businesses to complete the Tax Relief Consolidation Form. In Abaco, submit this form to the Hurricane Dorian One Stop Shop at the Government Complex. In Grand Bahama, submit this form to the Department of Inland Revenue. Once certified, this form is presented to Customs for the tax waiver.
The Acting Controller stated that as this is a comprehensive relief package, with six different tax benefits, the Department will be publishing more information over the coming days and weeks to provide additional details about the ins and outs.
Release: BIS
By Llonella Gilbert
Photo Caption: Acting Controller of Inland Revenue, Gaynell Rolle (far right) announced the systems and processes in place to implement the package of tax breaks that will be part of the Government’s new special economic recovery zone order 2019 at a press conference at the Department of Inland Revenue, November 28, 2019. Pictured sitting from left: Talmon Brice, Director of Revenue, Ministry of Finance; Chief Revenue Analyst, Gia Williams-Ferguson; Director of Tax Policy and Planning, Department of Inland Revenue, Keith Worrell; and Ms. Rolle. Standing is Communications Consultant, Ministry of Finance, Noelle Nicolls.
(BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products concluded their 10 weeklong Twist To Win campaign with four $5,000 Mall at Marathon shopping sprees.
The campaign which was available throughout the entire Bahamas allowed consumers to enter by purchasing a 20oz bottle with a yellow cap
from the following brands: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite, Fanta Orange, or Fanta Grape. Each yellow-cap had a unique alpha numeric code underneath which they submitted to the Twist To Win WhatsApp number.
With each qualifying purchase, participants residing in The Bahamas were entered to win instant prizes and into a grand prize draw to win one of four $5,000 shopping sprees at the Mall at Marathon.
Participants also enjoyed exciting instant prizes such as: Airpods, JBL Speakers, premium Coca-Cola merchandise, $500 Visa gift cards and Amazon, Spotify and Apple Music digital gift cards.
Out of 76,000 plus submissions, Brian Bethel, Ashia Demeritte, Merlin Adams, and Taraceta Neely won the coveted Mall at Marathon shopping sprees at the following select stores, Kelly’s House & Home, The Sports Center, John Bull, Brass & Leather, and BTC.
Leading up to the grand finale shopping spree, Coca-Cola hosted a Trivia Showdown with the eight finalists to determine the four winners. Finalists were tested on their knowledge of World History, Pop Culture, Caribbean Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Facts!
After a few rousing rounds of trivia, the four winners were declared after each winning their spot in the shopping spree by answering their questions correctly and choosing the “Grand Prize” Coca-Cola labeled bottles at random.
The morning of the shopping spree Coca-Cola gave the winners exclusive access to the Mall at Marathon and its participating stores before
their usual operating hours. Grand prize winners were greeted with wide smiles from Coca-Cola brand representatives and morning bites before the big event.
At the start of the thirty-minute clock the grand prize winners along with each of their Coca-Cola shopping assistants ran to the various stores collecting items in their arms and carts.
Merlin Adams, a husband and father of four was proud to have executed his game-plan at the end of the shopping spree. With toys, a new phone and materials for his home from Kelly’s, Adams felt accomplished in what he gathered.
Taraceta Neely, a winner from Eleuthera collected beautiful bags for herself and relatives from Brass and Leather and Brian Bethel bought matching athletic and outdoor wear from The Sports Center for his family.
The final winner Ashia Demeritte bought linens and household items in addition to a new phone from BTC right in time for Christmas.
Caribbean Bottling Company is proud to share the real magic of Coca-Cola with the grand prize winners and the may instant prize winners across the Twist To Win campaign. For more updates on new products, promotions, and events follow www.cbcbahamas.com.
Bahamas News
The Coca-Cola Art Project Astonishes Art Lovers at The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers and distributors of Coca-Cola and Dasani products displayed
their astonishing Coca-Cola Art Project (CCAP), during Baha Mar’s five-day Culinary & Arts Festival. Earlier this year, Coca-Cola partnered with The University of The Bahamas’ Visual Art and Design Department for a culturally rich art competition. UB’s art students were challenged to create pieces surrounding the theme, Bahamian music.
As a result, 20 student works of art were made, with four students declared as winners at the CCAP exhibit opening in Baha Mar’s ECCHO: Art Gallery in August. To recreate the culturally stimulating magic felt at the exhibit’s premiere, the CCAP was featured at the FUZE Art Tent during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival.
Nine incredible pieces of art lined the walls of the Coca-Cola Art Project, four of which included the winning pieces from Jhanaisia Cole,
with ‘Gaulin Bride’; Alyssa Pinder, with ‘Shotgun Wedding’; Nelson Gray, with ‘Untitled’; and Jaela Bowe, with the piece ‘Whims of Obeah, a Folktail’. Additionally, an intimate listening room was built. It displayed students’ artistic processes, UB Visual Art and Design representatives, and a recap of the exhibit opening for audiences.
Art enthusiasts also enjoyed premium limited-edition CCAP keepsakes at the booth. Journals which featured a collage of all 20 student submissions on the front and back cover, postcards with an art piece on the cover along with the student’s name, title, dimension and materials on the back and pens designed with the CCAP’s dynamic logo.
Throughout the art festival diverse groups of people visited the art tent taking in the displays while enjoying the artistic insights from the
listening booth.
Community and culture are always at the forefront of Caribbean Bottling Community, and it was boldly showcased during The Bahamas Culinary & Arts Festival for the third consecutive year.
For more details on the Coca-Cola Art Project, events and new products visit www.cbcbahamas.com today!
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor delighted Jollification
attendees with bubbles from their Bottega and Bouvet Ladubay sparkling wines and Besserat de Bellefon champagne lines.
Located in the Monument Circle on The Retreat grounds, CWS transformed The Retreat Garden into a lush lounge with Besserat, Bouvet and their latest product addition, Bottega, during the two-day affair.
The festivities kicked off Friday during BNT Member’s Night. Guests enjoyed exclusive offerings from CWS’s catalogue, offered exclusively to members. Complimentary mixes or glasses on the rocks included El Tequileno tequila, Hard Truth whiskey, House of Angostura rum, Cross Keys gin, Nemiroff vodka and a slew of wines such as Fonesca Bin, Bottega and Besserat.
Guests also savored the ‘Jolly Paloma’ cocktail, an instant favorite made with El Tequileno tequila, Schweppes Grapefruit and Domaine de Paris rose wine. To end the night, guests were treated to branded limited-edition wine tumblers as keepsakes.
On Saturday and Sunday, Jollification attendees delighted in glasses or bottles of champagne and sparkling brut or rosé wines while taking
in the comfort of the chic lounge. In addition to purchasing bottles for onsite consumption, consumers were also able to purchase bottles as gifts whether for themselves or someone special.
The sophisticated “bubble lounge” lounge was decked with velvet couches, gold rimmed cocktail tables, blue and pink pillows, and a white floral branded backdrop created for capturing the perfect picture.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits, a historic partner of the Bahamas National Trust was pleased to support Jollification 2025 to kick off the festive season and share their expansive range of spirits.
To keep up to date with all CWS products and events, visit their website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
