Category Archives: Bahamas

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

An ex-Cabinet minister yesterday warned we blow everything up if an estimated $2bn in unfunded civil service pension liabilities is added to the national debt, adding: We never thought judgment day would come.

Dr Duane Sands, former minister of health, told Tribune Business that we have to do a lot of things right if The Bahamas is to extract itself from an economic and sovereign debt crisis that has been both accelerated and worsened by a combination of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19.

Speaking after giving a sobering budget debate contribution in the House of Assembly, he argued that the government, all politicians and the Bahamian people must call a spade a spade and take ownership of the problems that threaten to engulf the country if not rapidly addressed.

Arguing that austerity measures will be less painful if The Bahamas takes control of its own destiny rather than letting them be managed by the likes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dr Sands said this nation will now have to abandon the near-50 year practice of borrowing to cover government deficits that it has employed since independence.

The Elizabeth MP, acknowledging that many Bahamians were likely unaware of how their living standards, disposable incomes and quality of life stand to be affected by the measures the government will take to address its fiscal woes, also conceded that the country has effectively mortgaged its future for several generations to come as a result of the debt taken on both pre-COVID and during the pandemic.

Confirming that his budget debate contribution had delivered this message in not so many words, Dr Sands said The Bahamas cannot afford to ignore the fact that it is in deep, deep trouble due to the condition of both the economy and the public finances.

Its scary, but its real. Its factual, Dr Sands told this newspaper of the countrys economic and fiscal outlook. The first thing is that weve got to claim it, and if we dont claim it we will never start. Weve got to call a spade a spade. We cannot pretend things arent what they are. We never thought judgment day would come. Its going to be an awful lot of work. Its going to be awkward, uncomfortable things politically to dig ourselves out of this mess.

I dont think we had much choice with this Budget. You have got to set the stage that the belt tightening comes, that we address these issues that we have kind of swept under the rug for so long. Hope is not a fiscal strategy. Something as simple as looking at the unfunded pension liabilities. We aint talking about that. If we put that on the books it blows everything up.

The governments finances, which project that the direct national debt will hit $10.386bn by end-June 2022,are calculated on a cash basis. They have yet to switch to accrual-based accounting, which measures future spending commitments that have yet to be incurred and, as a result, the true extent of The Bahamas liabilities is not measured or disclosed annually.

Among the items not covered by the national debt are the Governments unfunded public sector pension liabilities, which are currently financed like a pay-as-you-go scheme via an annual Budget allocation. The amount provided for this in the 2021-2022 Budget is $116.1m, which is projected to increase by more than $119m in 2023-2024.

Previous research by the KPMG accounting firm projected that these unfunded liabilities will likely be around $2bn at this stage which, when added to the national debt, would take it well over $12bn by end-June 2022. Marlon Johnson, the Ministry of Finances acting financial secretary, said the Government was now collating information from various government departments and agencies to help create recommendations for addressing the issue.

But the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as recently as its 2018 Article IV report on The Bahamas, warned that the current system - where civil servants contribute nothing to funding their retirement - is unsustainable.

The Washington DC-based fund listed civil service pensions, together with the public sectors wage bill and loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs), as three key reforms that the government must target if it is to reverse The Bahamas fiscal decline - and that was before both Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The civil servants pension system is unsustainable, the IMF warned two years ago. Government employees draw pensions at retirement without contributing to the system while employed. Staff analysis in the 2016 Article IV Staff report noted that accrued government pension liabilities totaled $1.5bn in 2012, and would rise to $3.7bn by 2030 as the population ages.

The IMF called for reforms that involve moving to a contributory regime in the near term, and to a defined-contribution scheme in the medium-term. This would require civil servants to contribute a portion of their salary to funding their retirement, rather than having this financed 100 percent by the taxpayer through the budget - as is done currently.

And a presentation delivered by KPMG in 2013, the early years of the last Christie administration, estimated the unfunded, pay-as-you-go, civil service pension liabilities at around $1.5bn. These liabilities were set to increase to $2.5bn by 2022, and $4.1bn by 2032, unless reforms wereenacted - and this is still yet to happen.

Dr Sands, meanwhile, backed the Governments position that The Bahamas must focus on stronger economic growth as the primary solution for its present crisis since austerity measures - new and/or increased taxes, and spending cuts - would not be enough by themselves.

We have to grow our economy, and the way we do that is making sure we take out a lot of the blockages to successful businesses or removing the things that cause businesses to fail prematurely, he added.

The whole anti-Immigration issue. Theres a level of immigrant expertise, and Im not talking about menial skills; Im talking special, specialist skills. We in The Bahamas have a problem with that, and we have to move beyond that if we are going to thrive.

Im about 60 years-old, and Ive watched this thing wax and wane. Sometimes were in deep trouble, and then things get better, but right now were in deep, deep trouble. You raise a very important question: Does the average Bahamian believe anything I said today? Probably not, because we have made it seem that all we need to do is pick the right guy and well be OK, Dr Sands continued.

There are people who believe that if you dont have it, borrow it. Not for much longer, thats for sure. With the Government set to pay more than $512m in debt servicing costs alone during the 2021-2022 fiscal year, and repay some $900m in principal to investors, Dr Sands suggested that these two obligations alone amounted to 50 percent of the Budget when combined.

We cannot pay it back without substantial growth, he added, and that means we have to do a lot of things right. We have got to be innovative, we have got to be creative and whatever product we have has to be world class.

If were going to stick with tourism it has to be world class; not so-so, not middle of the road. World class. In some instances our tourism product has dropped. We have got to do it right all the time, every time.

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$2bn pension liability 'blows everything up' - Bahamas Tribune

The weather has been glorious this week.

Mother Nature has certainly blessed us with clear skies and soaring temperatures.

For us Brits, who are traditionally sceptical of the weather (who can really blame us?), we may assume the hot weather will be short-lived.

After all, May was filled with rainclouds and the odd bit of sunshine.

But the Met Offices latest forecast proves weve got a lot to be excited about.

The weather experts suggest temperatures will be 25C and over from today (June 10) and across the weekend.

And your urge to go abroad may be satisfied as one area of London will see temperatures hotter than the Bahamas!

On Friday June, 11, temperatures will be 25C with the overcast changing to sunny intervals by lunchtime.

Sunny intervals will be expected on Saturday June, 12, with high temperatures of 25C.

Sunday June, 13, will see the highest temperatures this week at 28C and is expected to remain sunny the entire day.

The following day, on Monday (June 14), will also have highs of 28C and be sunny throughout the day.

The beginning half of next week will also remain incredibly warm with 26C on Tuesday and Wednesday.

So it is certainly time to whip out your sun cream and sunnies and bask in the sunshine.

You may even feel like you are on holiday rather than in the capital of the UK.

In fact, on Monday June, 14, Kew Gardens will see highs of 30C which will be hotter than the temperatures in Mexico, the Bahamas or Ibiza.

Do you remember the days we were shivering with a pint while dining outdoors? Well those days are over, you can now enjoy alfresco dining this weekend in the sunshine.

Make the most of it Londoners, you deserve it!

MyLondons brilliant new newsletter The 12 is packed with news, views, features and opinion from across the city.

Every day well send you a free email at around 12pm with 12 stories to keep you entertained, informed and uplifted. Its the perfect lunchtime read.

The MyLondon team tells London stories for Londoners. Our 45 journalists cover all the news you need - from City Hall to your local streets.

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London weather: Exactly when London will be hotter than Mexico, the Bahamas and Ibiza - My London

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is reported to be currently in the Bahamas with ENIC owner Joe Lewis, according to The Telegraph.

Lewis, 84, who is worth anestimated 4.4billion, became a tax exile and based himself in the Bahamas in the 1980s and 1990s (Daily Mail).

The North Londoners are currently still yet to confirm who will be replacing Jose Mourinho as the clubs new head coach after the 58-year-old was dismissed in April.

Tottenham have now turned their attention to Paulo Fonseca after previously being linked with the likes of Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag.

The Telegraph claim that Fonseca, who left AS Roma at the end of last season is confident that he will reach an agreement to become the head coach at Tottenham with both parties currently in discussions.

Levy is said to have given the green light for a deal to be completed for Fonseca to take up the role with the former Portugal midfielder having postponed a flight to Ukraine this week, the country of his wife while talks between his representatives and Spurs take place.

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Report: Daniel Levy and Joe Lewis meet in the Bahamas ahead of managerial appointment - The Spurs Web

He was widely reported to be a bargaining chip last offseason with general manager Bill Guerin trying to nab a No. 1 center. And with the Seattle Kraken coming into the NHL this offseason, many think the Wild might be forced to expose the 26-year-old defenseman in the July 21 expansion draft.

Luckily for Dumba, he has experience blocking out the noise. Asked how he plans to do that over the next six weeks, Dumba smiled and replied, Im thinking of going to the Bahamas and just leaving my phone.

Its no secret that Dumba wants to stay with the Wild. He made that clear in his exit meeting with Guerin earlier this week.

I emphasized to him that this is home for me, Dumba said. This is where I want to be. I love it here.

This isnt the first time Dumba has been at the epicenter of the expansion draft.

When the Vegas Golden Knights came into the league in 2017, Dumba seemed like the natural choice. Instead, former general manager Chuck Fletcher opted to trade top prospect Alex Tuch in a side deal that ensured the Golden Knights selected Erik Haula.

That kept Dumba safe at the time and it might take a similar move to keep him safe again this offseason. Its likely that the Wild decide to protect seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender as opposed to the other option that allows them to protect eight skaters and one goalie.

The only problem with the first plan is the Wild have to protect defensemen Jared Spurgeon, Ryan Suter and Jonas Brodin because of their no-movement clauses. That would leave Dumba exposed, thus highlighting the need for a potential side deal.

They have always found a way to make it work in the past, Dumba said. My names in trade speculation every year. Ive become accustomed to it. It is what it is. Ive expressed my feelings about where I want to be and where my heart is. At the end of the day, thats all I can do.

For the Wild, theres definitely a benefit in keeping Dumba around. Hes an extremely dynamic player on the blue line, and maybe more importantly, hes developed into the unquestioned leader in the locker room. Frankly, when Dumba isnt around, its noticeable both on and off the ice.

With the expansion draft scheduled for July 21, Dumba will only have to wait six weeks to learn his fate. In the meantime, he plans to enjoy his summer as best he can.

This next month Im not going be focused on that, he said. Just have a good summer here and enjoy it with some friends and family.

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With NHL expansion draft next month, Wild's Matt Dumba considering trip to Bahamas, not Seattle - Grand Forks Herald

ByNEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Freeport contributed close to $200m in taxes and National Insurance Board (NIB) contributions pre-pandemic despite its reputation as a free-trade zone, a report by the KPMG accounting firm has projected.

The document, prepared for the Grand Bahama Port Authoritys (GBPA)Revitalisation and Economic Expansion of Freeport (REEF) committee, also estimated that the city contributed some $1.4bn to the nations gross domestic product (GDP) - or 10.2 percent of economic output - despite the battering it received from Hurricane Dorian.

We estimate that for the fiscal year 2018-2019, Freeport contributed approximately $1.4bn in GDP, 10.2percentof the total GDP of The Bahamas, and $197.1m in government receipts and NIB contributions, the report, entitled Vision 2025:Planning for a prosperous future, said. Further, Freeports five-year cumulative GDP contribution stands at an estimated $7.2bn, averaging $1.4bn for each of the last fiveyears.

Freeports gross financial contribution to the Bahamian economy, in terms of government taxes and fees, is estimated to be $153.1m plus $44m in NIB contributions.Although the provisions of the Hawksbill Creek Agreementexempt Freeport from certain taxes and fees, there are many taxes and fees that are still assessed and collected in Freeport.

The report broke the citys tax contribution down into $61.3m from VAT; $24m in stamp taxes; $20.9m in excise taxes; $18.4m from import duties; and $10.6m in immigration fees as the major sources of government income. The total sumcollected waspegged by KPMG at slightly higher than the $143.5m generated for the Public Treasury in 2014, some five years earlier.

However, in a sign of Freeports economic and workforce/population stagnation, the report showed NIB contributions declining from $45m in 2014 to $44m in 2019 just prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pointing to Grand Bahamas declining GDP share, the report said: Despite a drop from 16.9percentin 2016 to 13.8percentin 2019, Grand Bahama has proven to be an important economic pillar contributing more to the GDP than the consolidated total of all other Family Islands in The Bahamas.

Further we note that the onset of the reduction in GDP contribution corresponds with the October 2016 landfall ofHurricane Matthew, which inflicted significant damage on the island and resulted in the destruction of many homes and businesses, and in particular resulted in the closing of over 1,000 hotel rooms mainly at the Grand Lucayan, and the loss of associated jobs.

Grand Bahamas economic activity is led by construction and real estate activities, which each account for 15.2percentof total GDP for the island. Rounding out the top four are mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity and gas, and water supply and sewerage, which generated 11.1percentof Grand Bahamas GDP, and wholesale and retail trade, motor vehicle repairs and transport and storage which generated 10.6percentof Grand Bahamas GDP, the report continued.

We note that a significant portion of the GDP contribution is derived from industries other than direct tourism, which points to the important diversity that Grand Bahama and, by extension, Freeport bring to the Bahamian economy as a whole.

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Freeport in $200m boost to Treasury - Bahamas Tribune

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars forward Caleb Lohner (33) draws a foul as he collides with Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Drew Timme (2), in West Coast Conference Basketball action between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Marriott Center in Provo, on Monday, Feb. 8, 2021.

| May 27, 2021, 11:27 p.m.

| Updated: 11:39 p.m.

Over the last two seasons, coach Mark Pope has made BYU mens basketball relevant once again. And the Cougars are making sure they stay in the spotlight.

The Cougars have locked down a spot in what is annually one of the biggest early-season tournaments on the calendar, according to reports.

CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein was the first to report that BYU will join Kansas, Tennessee, USC, NC State, Wisconsin, Butler and Dayton in the 2022 Battle 4 Atlantis.

The tournament, which takes place the week of Thanksgiving, is played at Atlantis Paradise Island on Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas each year.

For the 2021-22 season, the Cougars have already signed on to participate in the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, Dec. 22-25. The field will include host Hawaii, Liberty, Northern Iowa, South Florida, Wyoming, Stanford and Vanderbilt.

BYU was supposed to head to the Bahamas in 2020 for the Junkaroo Jam, but the pandemic made a change to those plans. Instead, the Cougars played in the Roman Legends Classic, which was played in a bubble-like environment in Connecticut.

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[Sports] - Report: BYU headed to Bahamas in 2022 for Battle 4 Atlantis - Salt Lake Tribune

Sunshine, sandy beaches and some 700 tropical islands make the Bahamas one of the most sought-after Caribbean retreats in the world. This haven for North American tourists is relatively easy to access for US and Canadian citizens; however, some rules do apply.

Most travelers with a valid US or Canadian passport that contains multiple blank pages and is well within its expiration date should have no trouble clearing customs in the Bahamas. Likewise, visitors from Latin America should be presented with few issues at the border. Still, these guidelines will help you earn that coveted passport stamp in the Bahamas and avoid any potential obstacles at your port of entry.

US citizens do not need a visa to visit the Bahamas. Canadian citizens who plan to stay less than eight months do not need a visa to visit the Bahamas.

Permanent US residents who are not American citizens must apply for a visa to the Bahamas for stays longer than 30 days. Additionally, a valid national passport is required. A green card is required for visits less than 30 days; however, a visa is not.

Canadian permanent residents may stay in the Bahamas for 30 days without a visa; however, they must bring a valid passport that expires no less than three months after their last day in the country.

If traveling directly from Canada, an original Canadian Permanent Resident card that expires no less than three months after their last day in the country is accepted. If traveling via another country, that card must expire no less than six months after their last day in the Bahamas. A return ticket is also required.

Citizens of Latin America are not required to carry a Bahamas visa is their stay is less than three months. They are required to have a return ticket and proof of lodging confirmation.

Indian nationals with a visa issued by Canada, the United Kingdom, United States or a Schengen Member State are not required to carry a Bahamas visa and may stay for a maximum of 90 days in country.

The Bahamas requires a visa for residents of 78 countries, a list of which begins on page six here. Notable nations include Egypt, Cuba, The Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Laos, the Philippines, India, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Taiwan, Ukraine, UAE and Vietnam.

The average cost for a visa to the Bahamas is $110. Visas with biometric data cost around $250. Forms must be completed in block letters and must be submitted with supporting documents including a valid passport.

Requirements may also include a police report, flight itinerary, copies of previously held visas and foreign marriage and birth certificates. It is recommended that applicants contact the Bahamas Consulate Division before applying.

According to the government of the Bahamas, the turnaround time on visas can be up to two weeks.

The Bahamas Consulate General accepts extension applications for visas for up to eight months. Applicants must apply at the Bahamas Immigration Department in Nassau.

Know whether you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate or not.

Visitors over age one must carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a nation with a risk of yellow fever transmission. These are mostly nations in Latin America and Africa. Visitors who have transited through an airport in a nation with risk of yellow fever transmission for more than 12 hours must also carry a vaccination certificate valid for at least 10 days before entering the Bahamas.

Be mindful of credit card fraud in the Bahamas. The US Embassy has received reports of credit card fraud in the Bahamas. The embassy urges all US citizens to check their credit and debit accounts for unusual activity and notify card companies of fraudulent activity if found.

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Do you need a visa to go to the Bahamas - Lonely Planet Travel News

THE seventh edition of the Tour de Grand Bahama was held over the weekend in Grand Bahama.

It was also used by the Bahamas Cycling Federation as one of the qualifiers for the national team that will represent the Bahamas at the Caribbean Cycling Championships, scheduled for July 15-17.

Federation secretary general Barron Turbo Musgrove praised Kenton Roker, the Grand Bahama Cycling Association and the Grand Bahama Cycling Club for putting on the event despite the restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic. The competition was fierce from start to finish with competitors from Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, New Providence, Grand Bahama and a four-man team from the Turks and Caicos Islands, Musgrove said. It was an exciting race from start to finish. It was like watching one of the major tours going on.

The routes were well-organised throughout the city of Freeport and a lot of persons were able to view the competition.

There were three stages of races that included the four-mile time trials on Saturday and two hours later there was a quadrium race.

On Sunday, the event concluded with a 60-mile road race.

Felix Neely from New Providence, Lorin Sawyer from Spanish Wells, Eleuthera took second and Kevin Daley from New Providence and Sean Rodgers from the Turks and Caicos Islands were tied for third and Lorenzo Carter was fifth.

In the Masters One category, Leeburgh Gibbs took the victory with Kavin Ewing second.

Kenton Roker third and Davaughn Williams finished fourth in the masters.

And in the Masters Two category, Kenneth Grant got the win over Ricardo Grant.

Sylvia the Beast Bateman from Grand Bahama emerged as the female winner.

She was followed in second place by Mary Missy Gibbs, also from Grand Bahama.

Smot ia Nono Moreau was third and Tannisha Grant got fourth.

The winners of the junior boys category were Ayden Bain, the overall champion, Launy Duncombe, second and Barron Musgrove Jr, third.

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Seventh edition of Tour de Grand Bahama was a blast - Bahamas Tribune

NASSAU, BAHAMAS According to the Ministry of Healths vaccine tracker released yesterday, there have been 55,037 doses of vaccines administered in The Bahamas to date, with 8,659 people being fully vaccinated with two doses.

Some 46,378 people have received one dose of the vaccine and are still awaiting the second dose required to become fully vaccinated.

On New Providence, 34,344 people have received their first dose while 7,051 are fully vaccinated; and on Grand Bahama, 6,796 people have received their first dose while 1,602 people are fully vaccinated.

As for the remaining Family Islands, 1,354 people have received first doses on Eleuthera, 874 on Abaco, 832 on Exuma, 603 on Andros, 398 on Bimini, 324 on Long Island, 289 on the Berry Islands, 252 on Cat Island, 129 on Inagua, 101 on San Salvador, 32 on Acklins, 21 on Crooked Island, 18 on Mayaguana and 11 on Rum Cay.

Three people on Cat Island and three people on Andros are fully vaccinated.

Health officials also confirmed 36 new cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas on Saturday, taking the number of cases in the country to 11,796. Of the new cases, 30 were on New Providence, two on Grand Bahama, one on Abaco and three on Andros.

The number of active cases stands at 756, with 57 people currently hospitalized 54 of whom are moderately ill and three who are in the Intensive Care Unit.

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VACCINATION PROGRESS: More than 8600 fully vaccinated individuals in The Bahamas; over 46000 awaiting second dose - EyeWitness News

NASSAU, BAHAMAS Coined the Accelerate Bahamas budget, the governments fiscal plans for the upcoming period will see sizeable increases across its ministries and agencies, tax increases in certain sectors and a continued surge of funds to the nations social safety net, as The Bahamas turns its sights on preparing for economic growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overall, government expenditure will increase by $251 million, from $2.57 billion this fiscal period to an estimated $2.82 billion.

The bulk of the sum will go toward the governments largest expense, wages and salaries of public servants, in the amount of $670.9 million.

Just shy of $490 million will be spent on interest, $390 million on subsidies and $266 million on social benefits.

As it relates to interest, the budgeted allocation for public debt servicing is forecasted to increase from $396.9 million to $512.4 million an increase of just over $115 million.

In 2019/2020, $345.3 million was expended on servicing the nations debt.

As revealed in Parliament on Wednesday, the national debt is forecasted to swell to $10.38 billion, 84.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

In the upcoming fiscal period, 2021/2022, the government projects to take in $1.8 billion in proceeds from borrowing, with $986.8 million of that sum representing new borrowing.

The current budget was branded as the Resilient Bahamas Plan and saw large spending cuts across the board, with tax exemptions and incentives as well as unprecedented spending to support unemployment benefits and food assistance amid the height of the pandemic just six months after Hurricane Dorian dealt Abaco and Grand Bahama crushing blows in 2019.

During his budget communication, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the government sought to stabilize the economy during this fiscal period and provided much-needed social support, while planting seeds for an accelerated national recovery.

According to the prime minister, the new budget prepares for the upcoming year and represents a plan to move from restoration to growth.

He said: It will build upon a new foundation and accelerate our national recovery in the process.

Just one government agency and three ministries will see budget cuts.

The Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction is expected to receive $8.7 million, down from the $11.2 million in 2020/2021.

The governments allocation for the Ministry of Finance is forecasted to contract by just over $10 million from $263.5 million to $253.2 million.

The bulk of the decrease can be attributed to the more than $10 million cut in expenditure for the National Drug Plan Arrears, which is estimated to decline from $17 million to $6.3 million, as well as the more than halving of Special Economic Assistance Measures, from $68.8 million to $30 million.

The $8.3 million for the Bahamas National Statistical Institute ($8.3 million), which has been transferred under the Ministry of Finances budget from the Department of Statistics, increased from $6.8 million this fiscal period.

The line item Budget Reserve Appropriations, with a budgeted $23.2 million, appears to be a new line item.

The governments unemployment benefit is set to end in June, although Minister of State for Finance Senator Kwasi Thompson said during a press conference yesterday it is anticipated that those benefits will continue until September.

Meanwhile, the allocation for Lucayan Renewal Holdings stands at $3 million for 2021/2022.

The Treasury Department will also see a decrease from $82.7 million to $78.2 million.

And the Ministry of Healths budget will once again see a marginal decrease, from just over $298 million to $297 million.

The Provision for Contingencies line item was zeroed out from $21.3 million, while the allocation for provisions for COVID-19 contingenciesstands at $10 million.

Meanwhile, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) is expected to see its budget increase from $38 million to $45 million in the upcoming period.

In 2019/2020, the NHIA received $24 million.

According to the budget, the estimated allocation for the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation will increase from $106 million this fiscal period to $140.5 million in the upcoming period an additional $34 million.

While the government intends to collect $40 million from tourist health visas, according to the projected revenue in the budget, it also expects to spend $37 million on Tourism Health VISA expenses a new line item in the upcoming fiscal period.

Allocations will also increase for the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs by $3.1 million; the Office of the Judiciary by another $3.1 million; the Registrar Generals Department by just over $3 million; the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services by $6.2 million; the Ministry of National Security by $4.7 million, from $7.4 million to $12.1 million; the Royal Bahamas Police Force, from $122.2 million to $124 million; the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, from $57.9 million to $62.2 million; and the Ministry of Education by $2.6 million.

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Accelerate Bahamas budget reveals sizable allocation increases across the board - EyeWitness News