For the first time, since assuming office, following the June 2020 general elections, the Anguilla Progressive Movement Government has found itself replying to a number of searching questions of concern initiated by the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The long-established organisation not only represents the business sector, impacted by COVID-19, the closure of the island and the sluggish economy, but the entire population as well which is also hurting. What has aggravated the situation is the current and planned implementation of a series of tax measures and fee increases by the Government, including the imminent Goods and Services Tax – not withstanding its staggered imposition to January, 2022.
The Chamber’s wide-ranging agenda, presented to the Government, comprised the following: the re-opening of Anguilla’s borders; COVID support or concessions for small businesses to keep them going and to help them sustain and stimulate employment and related activity; the planned Goods and Services Tax (GST); the ferry terminal and passenger movement between St. Maarten and Anguilla; airport expansion and direct flights to Anguilla; the proposed Sandy Ground Marina/Hotel project of which nothing is being heard; relief on energy cost and the re-imagining of sources of energy for Anguilla in a more sustainable and affordable cost – for example, in terms of solar energy; an update of Anguilla’s Special Economic Zone; the establishment of closer synergies involving tourism and medical procedures; and the 200-mile Fishing Zone to the north of Anguilla and what efforts were being put into place to monetise this asset.
The Chamber met with Premier Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster and his Cabinet at the Teachers’ Resource Centre on Wednesday, March 3, from 10 am to 12 noon. The session was moderated by Mr. Vanburn Brooks, a noted Anguillian master of ceremonies who also joined other members of the Chamber in asking a number of pointed questions.
In one of his questions and observations, put to the Government, about the economy, Mr. Brooks made the point that businesses and the people in Anguilla were not going to survive much longer unless there was some movement towards economic development. He asked, in particular, what was being done to assist small businesses affected by COVID-19, as well as to develop the economy.
The Minister for Economic Development, Mr. Kyle Hodge, gave the main reply to that question. He explained that the Government had given the Anguilla Development Board 500,000 dollars to on-lend to the business community but he was not certain what the interest rate would be. He stressed that Government was keenly interested in providing financial assistance in terms of duty-free concessions and other forms of aid to such sectors of fishing, agriculture and manufacturing to diversify the economy.
Minister Hodge stated that his ministry was completing a new business policy to provide protection for some other sectors of the economy including the supermarket, hardware and distribution sectors. He said his ministry was also looking at the medical marijuana industry; the provision of family office opportunities for long-staying visitors to Anguilla; approving a number of medical schools planning to operate on the island; and giving approval for two potential developers to invest in Anguilla.
