PNP Wants Gov’t to Extend Beryl Import Tax Waiver

The People’s National Party, PNP, wants the government to extend until November 30, the period during which tax waivers are applied to goods imported for hurricane recovery.

Finance minister Dr Nigel Clarke announced in Parliament last Tuesday that customs duties and general consumption tax for hurricane relief goods brought in the country would be suspended for the period July 4 to August 23.

But in a release issued on Monday, the PNP said while it acknowledged the granting of the waiver, it believes the current timeframe is insufficient to address the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Beryl.

The PNP says the delayed announcement of the one-month reprieve has already impacted the ability of affected individuals and businesses to mobilise support and arrange logistics effectively.

It says the extension to November would provide adequate time for the importation and distribution of essential recovery supplies, which would facilitate more robust and sustained recovery.

The PNP says too, that the move would also facilitate swift resumption of economic activity and in turn, support the generation of tax revenues.