Log In

Reset Password
BERMUDA | RSS PODCAST

Business sector’s top budget wishes

‘Concrete strategies’: Philip Barnett, Island Restaurant Group

We asked business owners and leaders what their top wishes were for today’s OBA Budget. Here’s what they said.Teresa Chatfield of MEF:n Strategies to improve the overall economy, focused on bringing in new revenue so that both the private sector and the public sector can produces surplusesn Reduce debt and improve employment prospectsn Specific targeted revenue drivers on a macro scalePhilip Barnett, president of Island Restaurant Group:n Continued payroll tax relief for the still struggling restaurant industryn Concrete strategies to rein in spending and closing the budget deficit as quickly as possibleRonnie Viera, Chamber of Commerce president:n We hope to hear a plan to reduce Government’s expenses leading to reduced borrowing needsn Incentives which aim to stimulate economic activityn An extension of the payroll tax relief for our retail and restaurant members.Susan Thompson, Coldwell Banker Bermuda Realty agency manager:n Remove license fee for PRCsn Change the legislation for Bermudians with Non-Bermudian spouses to allow purchase of more than one propertyn Reduce the license fee for Non-Bermudians to make Bermuda more competitive with other islands and encourage wealthy people to reside here, and invest in Bermuda.Nathan Kowalski, Chief Financial Officer, Anchor Investment Management:n A credible plan to bring government spending into balance and a strategy for dealing with ballooning entitlements that are compounding in the face of challenging demographic trends.n Plans to issue gambling licensesn Steps aimed at promoting economic industry diversity