With the financial and economic situation still needing improvement, the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Anguilla Government met at La Vue Conference Centre on Wednesday, October 21, to discuss a number of matters relating to the way forward.
President of the Chamber, Mr. Keithley Lake, told the large gathering it was important that the members of the organisation should hear directly from the Government about some of the problems they were experiencing in their day to day operations.
The business persons wanted answers to such matters as lower customs duties to enable merchants to compete with their competitors in St. Martin/St. Maarten; taxation relief and the removal of the Interim Stabilisation Levy; the need to address access to Anguilla other travel issues; the need for more business regulations; reduction of fuel costs and surcharges; and the banking situation.
Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Mr. Victor Banks, gave answers to a number of the above matters and urged the Chamber to continue to be a voice on the island.
Other speakers on the Government’s team were Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Curtis Richardson and his Ministerial Assistant, Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool; Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs. Cora Richardson Hodge, and her Ministerial Assistant, Mrs. Evalie Bradley; and the Comptroller of Inland Revenue, Mr. Perin Bradley.
The short addresses were preceded by a brief presentation on a Chamber of Commerce and Industry Survey by Mrs. Melinda Goddard, which gave the Government officials an insight into the operations of the organisation.
Details about the meeting were restricted by lack of space and the urgency of press time.
