At a well-attended meeting on Friday December 2, members of the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACOCI) met with Chief Minister Victor Banks. Minister of Social Development Evans McNiel Rogers. Minister of Home Affairs Cora Richardson-Hodge. Parliamentary Secretary Cardigan Connor, and Assistant in the Ministry of Home Affairs Evalie Bradley. The meeting was a cordial one and the Government officials answered questions and issues that were raised.
President of the ACOCI, Keithley Lake, said that it was an important event for Chamber members to ask questions of the Government ministers, to congratulate them on what they do right and suggest what they could change. The Chief Minister thanked members for the job that they are doing in the ACOCI, saying that he looked forward to a good relationship with them and at the same time urged all businesses to become members.
The first issue raised was problems with banking and, in particular, the vast amount of time taken to open an account. One member said that it took four months to open an account that and this was not acceptable and is crippling the country going forward. Members also felt that doing day- to-day business with the banks was becoming more difficult.
The granting of business licences was raised especially giving licences to foreign businesses when there were similar Anguillian establishments. It was announced that the Executive Council had already addressed this and formed a committee, on which ACOCI is represented, to look into the matter and arrive at a policy.
Questions were asked about taxes and what was being done about people who do not pay their taxes. The Chief Minister said that those who do not pay are not good citizens and assured that the Inland Revenue Department was focusing on collecting taxes included those in arrears. He said that 60% of property tax was not paid and this was being addressed.
Another issue was the opening hours of Government departments. It was strongly suggested that these departments should stay open during the lunch hour because that is when most business people can attend to payments and other business. The Chief Minister promised to address the issue and ensure that the post office, customs and treasury remain open for business between 12 and 1:00 p.m.
Derelict vehicles were another concern of members – and also the general litter problems around the island. Minister Rogers said that he personally would address the derelict vehicles issue and make public the telephone numbers to call to have vehicles removed.
Education, immigration, the attitude of civil servants, the planning department, and other issues were also discussed amicably at the meeting that lasted for two hours.
