Govt must spend tax $$ back on local businesses - Troy Christopher
He was delivering remarks at the opening of Buy BVI Trade Expo on Saturday April 16, 2016 at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex.
“The amount of employment that these businesses provide for us is something that you should not underestimate,” he said.
“From carpenters to accountants to truck drivers...and it goes on and on.”
Mr Christopher heaped praises on the entrepreneurs who not only provide employment but also come up with the innovative ideas with a view to growing their businesses into bigger businesses.
In light of this contribution that small businesses are making, Christopher called on the government to “spend more of our tax dollars on local businesses.”
He lamented that there is the tendency to look for the best possible price. “But sometimes the best price does not include repair of our roads, or our schools or our hospitals so it is important that we support these businesses that have to pay taxes in our country,” he said.
New BVICCHA Executive with a fresh mandate
The BVICCHA recently had a new Executive voted in with a new and fresh mandate to work towards bringing relief to the small businesses in the VI. The Directors were announced at the BVICCHA Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Maria's By The Sea Hotel and Restaurant.
The new Executive Officers of the Association are Chairman Mr Louis Potter - Louis Potter and Associates;
President of Business Mr Troy Christopher – Jahphix; Vice President of Business Ms Shaina M. Smith - Smith & Associates ; President of Hospitality Mr Romney Penn - Treasure Isle Hotel; Vice President of Hospitality
Mrs Chaunci Cline - Village Cay Hotel & Marina.
Treasurer is Mr Chad Maduro of Harney Westwood & Riegels.
General Directors in no particular order are Mr Simon Potter - Road Town Wholesale; Mr Wendell M. Gaskin -S & S Accounting; Ms Janet Oliver - The Charter Yacht Society; Mrs Jennifer O'Neal -Tortola Vision Center; Ms Lorna Christopher - Maria's By the Sea Hotel & Restaurant; Mr Kendell Mills – Campbells; Mr Scott Hart - Peter Island Resort; Mr St Clair Springette - S & D Security and Alarms Systems; Mr Dwane Mason - First Bank and Mr Marvin Flax - OBM International.
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8 Responses to “Govt must spend tax $$ back on local businesses - Troy Christopher ”
The comments seem rather straight forward and easy to be dealt with. Considering the incentives/concessions usually and casually given to big businesses; Oil Nut Bay, Richard Brandon etc, exemption from Import Duties, rapid-fire approval and approval (in principle) of work permits, importation of employees-of choice from overseas, importation of materials from overseas, (in some cases available locally or that can be competitively priced if incentives are given) etc. Considering the generous concessions/incentives to Big Businesses, similar incentive packages could/should be available to local/small businesses. I am aware of locally owned businesses, supermarkets etc with employees 10 -15+ employees who receive no incentives of incentives of consequence. Such incentives have the potential to result in lower more competitive prices to consumers as well as marketing advantages to the business.
In regards to comment (1) about "moneys being spent overseas must stop", unless it is meant by consumers traveling to St. Martin, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico etc. the comment would be irrelevant. Further, granting incentives as aforementioned to local businesses, would have the potential to make local businesses equally competitive to the overseas businesses where our moneys are being spent or at least narrowing the price-difference to the point where a shopper would consider it as hardly worth the hassle; especially when considering the time/travel element involved with shopping overseas. An added Bonus or advantage to businesses might work out to more product variety.