Halkitis: Government Made Millions After Reopening

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The mid-year budget is one step closer to passing in parliament as debate kicked off in the Senate this morning with State Minister for Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis saying the elimination of the state of emergency, resulted in a significant uptick in tax revenue to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Jasmin Brown has the figures.

The State Minister, who is also the leader of government business in the Senate, insists policy decisions made by the Davis administration, which was elected in September 2021, have already begun to yield results.

A state of emergency declared in March 2020 included measure such as lockdowns, curfews, restrictions on travel, social gathering and business operations. The restrictions coupled with the shutdown of the global tourism industry brought the economy to a near standstill.

After winning the September 2021 General Election, the Davis administration followed through with plans to let the state of emergency expire in November, replaced by rules determined by the Ministry of Health. Halkitis also says the Davis administration is “Committed to reforming the country’s fiscal health”, calling it one of the government’s top priorities