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Gov’t’s tax breaks miniscule; unrecognisable- John I. Cline

- calls on BVICCHA to focus on tax structure for locals
Businessman John I. Cline believes the BVI Chambers of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) should focus on tax structure for local businesses. Photo: VINO/File
According to Bishop John I. Cline, in order for local entrepreneurs to grow the economy of the [British] Virgin Islands, locals need to have an advantage, which he believes can come through tax breaks. Photo: Internet Source
According to Bishop John I. Cline, in order for local entrepreneurs to grow the economy of the [British] Virgin Islands, locals need to have an advantage, which he believes can come through tax breaks. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Tax structure is something local preacher and businessman Bishop John I. Cline says the BVI Chambers of Commerce and Hotel Association (BVICCHA) should be looking into, especially as it relates to protecting and building locals in business.

Bishop Cline was at the time speaking as a guest on the recent CBN Channel 51 show, Vigilate Dialogues, hosted by another local and businessperson Ms Shania M. Smith.

Asked what he thinks the BVICCHA‎ should be focusing on for local businesses especially as it recently launched its strategic agenda, Mr Cline responded, "Tax structure that is in favour of the local businesses so that we are not competing with the person coming in or importing from Amazon and coming in to St Thomas," said Mr Cline.

Local businesses need an advantage

He said it is his belief that in order for local entrepreneurs to grow the economy of the [British] Virgin Islands, locals need to have an advantage. ‎"And the best place for us to have an advantage is in taxes. I know that the government made some adjustments. They are so miniscule though you can't even recognise it."

According to cline, the BVICCHA as a body can be a massive voice to represent the business sector for better to come. "But if one voice goes out there and speak then it doesn't have any effect, the government doesn't pay any attention, but if you have the Chambers of Commerce going out ‎ there and making the case I think then they are compelled to listen the least."

Along the line of advocating for money to stay and develop the VI, Mr Cline pondered how the BVICCHA can educate consumers on spending locally. "How do you educate the consumer that if you spend in the BVI it helps not only to pay taxes for doing some of the infrastructure development that we need but it creates employment for your sons and daughters when they leave high school or college? There is more money circulating in the economy‎ for all these queen shows and all the donations."

Benefits of buying local

Bishop Cline’s point to note was that locals depend on the businesses here for donations and not the international businesses. "I am not saying that people shouldn't find things overseas because ‎there are things they are not going to get (locally).”

He said gift shopping for Christmas is one thing he sure does 100% locally.‎ "I wouldn't go to the US and buy perfume when I can get it at Bolo's or the other shop down the road."

He reflected on his attempt to develop a Christian Business Association. "We had five Ps that I believe can help educate the public in terms from the public side and the business side and that is ‎pricing; how do we price competitively? Promotion; how do we promote our businesses effectively? Presentation....and then you have people; how do you educate and upgrade our service level?"

Meanwhile, customer service in the VI came in for a bashing as, according to Bishop Cline, "You know in the BVI we suffer greatly from a level of customer services that would kill businesses elsewhere."

12 Responses to “Gov’t’s tax breaks miniscule; unrecognisable- John I. Cline”

  • foxy (28/11/2016, 08:38) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    When he goes to his NDP meeting he needs to say that
  • ronnie (28/11/2016, 09:05) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why he didn't mention the no good stuff that comes in from China?
  • Welsah (28/11/2016, 09:16) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Even John feeling the pinch- and he is on the inside.
  • musa (28/11/2016, 09:21) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    pastor stick with good teaching please
  • True (28/11/2016, 09:43) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    so give tax breaks to businesses so they can make bigger profits?
  • Political Observer(PO) (28/11/2016, 10:36) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not averse to local businesses, especially small businesses, getting an advantage through tax breaks provided the operational cost reduction is passed on to the consumers. Historically, in the BVI, tax breaks are not passed on to consumers but instead used to boost the already extravagant and scandalous high profit margin that is akin to Shylocking. The Bishop is more vocal and targeting than in the recent past. Has the Bishop had a heart-to-heart with the NDP? Agree with the Bishop that spending money local has a multiplier effect on the economy, i.e., creating/sustaining jobs and income and growing the economy. However, local businesses must be competitive.
  • de silent one (28/11/2016, 10:57) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    How much more tax break do they need, and the consumers are still not seeing any difference in the prices are the various businesses. Up to when folks goes to St Thomas and shop for certain items and come back, they can see the saving made. It shows that our businesses here can do somewhat better with their prices. They need to be more competitive with their prices and give the consumers reasons to spend here.
  • Sort u self out. (28/11/2016, 12:48) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    These business people here need to stop attaching local to their business and bd a business. Get the competing spirit. Do what's necessary to get people in their stores then have their in store and out store sales people do some actual selling.. Sometimes I'm in a store and it's like is any one working here.. You actually watching the workers bug they are ignoring you... You all business people need to sort your service and workers out... No matter what government does for u all. U all problems are you all...So sort u all out.
  • W*F (28/11/2016, 17:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    then if its so small do not take it!
  • Underminning (28/11/2016, 17:27) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    He need stop underpinning people and pretending to be a man of God
  • Ajic (28/11/2016, 20:02) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Cline shut your tail. When local business are given breaks they NEVER PASS IT ON TH THE CUSTOMERS! They pad their pockets instead.
  • John (03/12/2016, 21:03) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Gasoline in US is around $1.87/gal, in The BVI it is $3.71/gal. Where do merchants here get their gasoline?


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