Earlier this month, the US Supreme Court ruled that the government had to cough up 50 million US dollars in arbitral award payments to Ashcroft Allied companies. But the Prime Minister has said that the government will not pay the awards for, quote, "PUP Corruption" and because the Caribbean court of Justice has ruled otherwise.
Well, the Chamber of commerce definitely wants to talk to government about that, and a host of other issues - mainly, taxes - and what new ones will be coming in the next budget. President, Nikita Usher told the media that a meeting is planned for next week...
Nikita Usher, President - BCCI
"We are addressing that issue. We have a meeting next week after which we will be coming out with our statement. But also I think you should be wondering what is going to happen about the next budget presentation and BCCI is more concern about the budget presentation than so much as the comment that was made."
"We have a budget that is coming up and it's important to know where will our economy be. We've heard other people saying that there will be increases in taxes. BCCI is equally concern about those as well."
Reporter
"Is the BCCI considering speaking with the government in terms of trying to streamline public spending to reduce spending and also increase collections?"
Nikita Usher, President - BCCI
"Well, as the president of BCCI, I have appointed a sub-committee of the chamber over the holidays. When you all were on Christmas holidays, we were working. We've actually been looking at more than just spending. It's spending, it's also revenue enhancement in the government, but also economic growth for the private sector. It has to be 3-prong. It can't be I want government to cut their expenses. It has to be cut expenses, improve their revenue, whether it be additional revenue or additional collection from wherever it is and as well as economic growth for the private sector. Has to be 3-prong."
Reporter
"What would be the alternative to increasing taxes?"
Nikita Usher, President - BCCI
"I would want to hold on that until the BCCI report actually comes out. But we can tell you that we have done a comprehensive review of where we feel there could be improvement and where we honestly and truly feel that there can be very limited increases in taxes and yet still collect the amount of money that you really need to improve your positions in government."
Usher also mentioned that an upcoming Chamber report will reveal some of its other plans for economic development.
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