BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRESIDENT of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Jose Rosa has informed that they were pushing for two Discounted VAT Rate Days, but the government had agreed on one.
Like last year, the government has agreed at the Cabinet level to have one Discounted VAT Rate Day, which normally sees booming sales for private establishments.
The announcement was made recently in a Post Cabinet press statement which said: “On October 11th, Government decided that St. Kitts and Nevis would have the usual Discounted VAT Rate Day in December. The date of the Discounted VAT Rate Day is being discussed with the St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry & Commerce.”
Speaking with reporters on Sunday (Oct. 22), Rosa explained that they had written to the Prime Minister requesting two VAT Rate Days, but he responded saying there would only be one.
The president is of the view that this year would see them (private sector) achieving positive performances.
Last year, the government reported positive performances for private sector businesses, noticeably in the sale of motor vehicles.
The CIC boss pointed out that the day is an important one for both the private sector and consumers.
“It is a big day not only for the sales or the business people, but also for the people who can save some money and get the relief that they want. It is money that would stay here, and if you don’t do that many times it is going to go someplace else and not here in St. Kitts and Nevis.”
The CIC has been pushing for two days but, according to Rosa, “the government has been reluctant to increase across those days.”
“It is something that we would like to do but it is not something that would happen,” he said.
Against that backdrop, Rosa stated that they are “satisfied with one day” but would continue to lobby for the additional day in the future.
This year, many are expecting an above normal performance in the sale of motor vehicles and essential items.
