Drastic increase in license fees harmful to small businesses- Skelton-Cline
The existing fees range from $25 to $250 for Belongers and $200 to $600 for non-Belongers; however, under the new proposed structure, the fees range from $150 to $1,500 for Belongers and $1,500 to $15,000 for non-Belongers depending on the category of business.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said the National Unity Government has “aimed to be competitive and relatively affordable while balancing the need for the Virgin Islands Trade Commission to generate revenue to become more self-sufficient and make a contribution to the overall finances of the Virgin Islands.”
Negative impact on local small businesses- Skelton-Cline
According to Mr Skelton-Cline, the increase fees could have a negative impact on local new upstarts and emerging small businesses.
“What this does, particularly amongst the local industrious population, is that it eliminates….and substantively are going to eliminate persons from pursuing businesses and upstarts,” Skelton-Cline said during his Honestly Speaking radio show on June 21, 2022.
According to the talk show host, he understands the need for revenue, “I am clear on that and I am clear that there is always a need for the tightening of legislation and I am clear that some of these rates have been in place for a while. What concerns me is it coming on stream at a time like this.
“It begs to question the notion, the motive, the intention behind that,” Mr Skelton-Cline stated.
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32 Responses to “Drastic increase in license fees harmful to small businesses- Skelton-Cline”
Just another anti business operation of the BVI government whose policy appears to be to discourage enterprise and shut down everything.
pay attention:-
The Caribbean brothers & sisters who uses the money grams and western union have to pay tax on their transaction…..small money just making sure family can be happy
Pay attention:-
the so called financial services operations pay not one thing to government for those billion dollars wire transfers
Pay attention:-
The politicians only care about the small boys and girls just before the elections
After there projects are complete they bring they rich white friends to run the business while the locals are paid minimum wage
it should not be a big deal if a local gets certain benefits in our own country because we can not leave BVI and get certain insensitive in other countries
Chat dat !!!!
They better stay where they are. Only a few large businesses will be able to afford that and will surely pass it on to we the customer. There are lots of places who will welcome our expats customers with open arms. BAD decision!!!
Whether or not he is still a main supporter of the current political cabinet or the present one is beside the point. The hikes can be detrimental against good governance at the time.
Whether or not he (CSC) supported the past cabinet: (VIP) or he present one ( the unity Government cabinet) is beside the point....
Sorry.
In accordiling to my knowledge, wisdom, a principle good unity government does not surpreses politically businesses, especially small ones, with drastic rise in business license fees, in stead it lower them to help the grow from small to bigger.
Unity government does not all times means that all actions are good, even though thise actions are unitedly agreed,
Many small stakes bear the weight of large houses.
Why not put a lesser numberof big stakes to bear the weight of many small houses instead?
Can every person lift and carry the same weight?
Let us allowing ourselves of continually being made fools of by this so-called unity government any longer.
The big free nipple that they have sucked on has been takes away from them. Now the current Premier and cabinet has targeted businesses, by drastic hike of business license, that is causing, especially more than big businesses greater suffering, even in time of toughness. So it is clear to see that unity can be as a double edged sword, but the small, and poor are more vulnerable.
This business license fees hike can cause loss of joy to many, especially in the a job for them are a must.
Unity means oneness of mind and purpose for all the people of this country, not only a small minority of employees (politicians) that have been employed by the people to represent our best interest.
Dictatorship is an evil ship that will1 surely sink, the sooner the better.
I love politicians. But I very much hate wrong actions, especially against the small and weak that daily struggling to survive due to public emloyed political hardship, caused by selfish pride.
God our Creator loves us all. May by His (our Creator) grace He help you and I to genuinely love one another, continually embraced each others best interest with genuine love.
Many blessings, not curses, hopefully to all the people's of the BVI this day, and in the future.