PM Roosevelt Skerrit explain amendments approved in recent parliament session

Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit listed down the major accomplishments of the recent parliament session. During the Anou Palay episode on Sunday, he explained several amendments.

Prime Minister stated that parliament approved an amendment to the Excise Tax. He noted that this measure would directly benefit taxi operators who will receive 28 percent exemption of the excise tax on top of the already existing waiver of import duties on vehicles for tourism purposes.

Dominican Prime Minister asserted that the excise tax amendment makes the total of a 68 percent reduction in the duties. Prime Minister further explained that taxi operators are entitled to purchase two vehicles during a 5-year period and will be exempted from the excise tax of 28 percent and the import duty on a luxury vehicle which of 40 percent.

Another amendment that the government claims is designed as an effort to acclimate the tourism sector, which is heavily hit of the pandemic crisis. This includes an amendment to the value-added tax act to facilitate an amnesty for taxpayers where interest on taxes owed are paid between the 1st day of August 2020 and 31st day of January 2021.

"I urge all concerned to take advantage of this amnesty which comes at a time of acute stress on the economy due to the impact of the pandemic," stated Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit.

The parliament further approved an amendment that effectively removes the Value Added Tax on raw material, packaging and labelling material and equipment and machinery imported for use by manufacturers.

He noted that this amendment follows on a measure announced in the 2020-2021 budget presented in July.

The parliament has also approved a loan from the OPEC Fund for funding of COVID-19 Emergency Response.

The loan figure of 27 million dollars is said to be used in the management of COVID-19 pandemic.

"The health, social and economic impact of the COVID 19 pandemic will be with us for some time more and the Government of Dominica will use these funds to ensure that the health and safety needs of the Dominican people are met." stated the Prime Minister.

Speaking about the progress on the International Airport Project, he stated that he recently had a meeting two of the steering committees.

"I am encouraged by the work that we have done in the past week and months to advance this important project. This is no small undertaking, and your government is putting in the work to first get this project off the ground and then, see it to a triumphant completion," stated Dr Skerrit.