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The undersigned members of the business community believe that VAT will adversely affect business in the Turks and Caicos Islands and call on the government to delay its introduction to enable a full analysis of its cost and potential impact to be performed so that there can be an informed debate as to its merits and value for the TCI community, its businesses and the development of its economy.
That there has been a serious crisis in our public finances is accepted by all. That the crisis has revealed a lack of accountability and a significant weakness in the operations of our democratic institutions is understood. Under any normal accounting convention whether for business or government, the deficit is already a thing of the past. The tourist industry has remained robust throughout 2011-12 and has to date exceeded expectations. The TCI has weathered the international crisis and its tourist economy has shown itself to be remarkably resilient. This together with rigorous cost measures imposed by the interim government has resulted in a very rapid, albeit painful, turnaround for country’s finances. However the balance of the economy in the majority of sectors remain extremely weak and continues to underperform remaining firmly in recession. The very area government now wishes to tax. Although, the governor and the chief financial officer (CFO) admit that significant progress has been made, they still argue that the public finances are in a mess. However it is perfectly clear that the country’s finances are no longer in a mess and there is no justification for the introduction of VAT in order to collect higher revenues. Indeed if one looks at the government’s own budget, it is only aiming to collect an extra $10 million. It is hardly worth implementing a whole new taxation structure just in order to collect this amount of incremental revenue. Indeed the incremental revenue is much less because the government’s budget conveniently omits to record the costs of the introduction of the tax so there may in fact be no incremental revenue at all. To be clear we in the business community do not object to an increase in taxation if it is needed, and if it is needed there are simple, well understood, well tried and efficient existing taxes that can be used to do so. Our objection is to the use of an extremely complex tax that is expensive to implement, expensive to collect and places additional resource and cost burdens on the business community. All of which will add yet more costs for a country that is already one of the most expensive destinations in the Caribbean. Sadly there seems to be an ideological commitment on the part of the British government, possibly generally supported by the International Monetary Fund (whose insensitivity to the specific conditions in any given country is legendary) that the TCI should have a VAT system, however badly it fits with these islands, our economy and our culture. Cayman has already rejected VAT. Its introduction here is needless and we all believe will be damaging — damaging to the standard of living of all islanders, damaging to the tourist trade that is our livelihood and damaging to the investment that we need to create new jobs. The Green Paper asserts that “VAT is expected to deliver long-term improvements” to the economy. If that is so, let the governor publish the full economic analysis on which that statement is based. We know CARTAC has produced some numbers. Let us all see them and put them to the test. The attitude of the interim government reflects no credit on their commitment to transparency and illustrates a sad lack of trust in the democratic process. The high-handed manner in which the TCI community is being told that the tax is good for us supported by outrageous and wholly unfounded allegations that the business community pays no tax reveals the paucity of the arguments in favor of the tax. The interim administration is acting with indecent haste in its efforts to put VAT into legislation. The undersigned believe that this is a very important issue for the future of the islands and should be properly and openly debated. If the arguments are so formidable and so important for the future of the islands, as the interim administration suggests, then there should be no reason why the decision should not be taken by the incoming democratically elected government. Indeed it is remarkable that having stated, on the one hand that the islands had progressed sufficiently to be able to democratically elect their own representatives, the interim administration seems to have decided that those representatives will not be fit to make the decision with respect to the introduction of VAT. Already the new CFO ordinance will severely control future elected governments with respect to economic strategy. With respect to the need to ensure fiscal prudence and rectitude there is absolutely no reason for the British government to foist an alien tax on the TCI community. It is not the principle of taxation that is at stake, it is the nature of the tax. However the depth of opposition from the community and business is such that we believe that the British government will reap a harvest of bitterness that will sour the relationship between it and the people of the TCI. This is a harvest that they will have to contend with when the personalities of the administration are long gone. It is very much to be hoped that the British government if not the interim administration will allow some time so that a better understanding can be achieved over the VAT issue before it is too late. Curtis & Trish Selver, Needles & Pins Upholstery Services
Brian Trowbridge, Hallmark Trust
Keith Burant, Meridian Trust Company Limited
Simon Wood, Terra Firma Ltd
Andrew Mann, Tropical Imaging Ltd
Bruce Twa, TWA Marcelin Wolf
Diane Dentith, Sovereign Trust (TCI) Ltd
Mark Franz, The Villas at Blue Mountain
Paul Dempsey, Dempsey & Company, Attorneys at Law
Seamus Day, Sand Dollar Investments
Sam Slattery, Inter Island Medical Services
Ron Burchill, Cooling Services Ltd
David Douglas, Sun Charters
John Zammit, Empower Corporation
Kathryn Brown, TCREA
Beverly Plachta, The Meridian Club on Pine Cay
Lester Junior Carter, Villa Renaissance (HAB)
Ralph and Wilma Dietsche, CBMS Ltd
Drexwell Seymour, LIME
Keith Burant, RDK Ltd
Carol Anne Johnson, Design/Build International Ltd
Roger Halliday, Caribbean Crusin’ Ltd
Mark Durliat, Grace Bay Resorts
John Lawson, AdventureScape Web Design
David Hartshorn, Projetech Ltd
Graham Shaw, Building Services Design
Christopher Haggie, AND Construction
Bryan Kennedy, Climatech Ltd
Simon Hutchings, SWA Architects
Tanis Wake-Forbes, Finishing Touch
Donna Brooker, Dizzy Donkey Ltd
Kenneth and Evelyn Adams, Building Materials
Jerzy Kolodziej, Coologic
Beverly Williams, Point Grace Resort/ PG Management
Delphine Hartshorn, Shout Media and Panoply Sport fishing
Kenneth Nesarajah, Strategic Technologies Ltd
Chloe Zimmermann, Marco Travel, Turtle Tours Ltd
Ian Harrison, Dock Direct Ltd
H. Hinderaker, H.H.Hinderacker & Associates Ltd
Stan Hartling, Hartling Group
Edwin Dickenson, Olympic Construction
Harry Turbyfield, HAC group
Kathryn Brown, ERA Coralie Properties
Delphine Hartshorn, Panoply Sports Fishing Charters
A.J. Newlands & W.K. McCollum, McCollum & Newlands
Yvette Handfield, My Dees, North Caicos
Matson Delancy, Goldfinger Jewellry
Kathy Harvey, Grand Turk Gas
Carmen Robinson, Carmen’s Chicken Shack
David Been, Mini-Golf
Deon Ingram, Pompey’s Five Cays
Arthur Smith, Local Village
Franklyn Misick, Misick’s Gas Station
Ossie Virgil, Paradise Tours Ltd
Peter Kerrigan, EDS Ltd
Daniel Forbes, Danny’s Café, Conch Bar
Annie Taylor, Taylor’s Shop, Conch Bar
Villa Simons, Cockpit Lounge, Grand Turk
Mac Malcom, Mookie Pookie, Grand Turk
Clifford & Susan Gardiner, Pelican Beach Hotel
Niamh Burns, Islandcomm Telecommunications Ltd
John Redmond, Joh Redmond Associates Ltd
Arthur Deane, Silver Deep
Ken Burns, Graceway Trading Ltd
Bill Confer, Graceway Gourmet
James Small, Fountainhead Construction (TCI) Ltd
Paul Hudson, Seatopia Ltd
Bill McCollum, TC Gas Ltd
Beryn Duncanson, Flamingo Crossing Ltd, Duncanson & Co
Judy Dempsey, Blue Parrot Realty
Simon Nicholls, Coast Architectural Consulting Ltd
Jeffrey Lee, JAL Consultants Ltd
Russell Cox, Vision Designs Ltd
James Hamilton, Sterling Property Consultants
Ron Shaw, RA Shaw Designs
Simon Taylor, BCQS
Mark Bowden, Bowden Consulting
Jamaine Malcom, TCI Structures Ltd
Anthony Walkin, Conservative Architects
Karyn Erickson, Coastal Design and Engineering Ltd
Lucy Mott Lee, Maison Creole Ltd
Hugh O’Neil, Hugh O’Neil and Co
Arthur Smith, Local Village
Camille Slattery, Provo Ponies
Tom Lewis, Ocean Club Resorts
Mitch Rolling, Blue Water Divers
Kanchan Tolani, Gausan Co Ltd
Teresa Brunner, Tropical Destination Management
Theodore T. Weldon III, Sailrock Development Ltd
Rodney Thompson, Cairsea Services Ltd
Patrick Staples, Tropic Solutions Ltd
Claire Parrish, Times Publications
Brenda Ludington, Paradise Arts
Mark Osmond, Mark Osmond Dental Clinic
Terry Meneley, National Colony Realty
Mallory McComish, Cove Construction Ltd
Ewart Chattell, J&M Trading
John Lawson, TCI Ferry Caribbean Crusin
Fraser Dods, Physiologic
Paul Horton, Horizon Construction Ltd
Natalie Zaidan, Environmental Arts
Ronald Prescott, Carib Glass and Supplies Ltd
Dave Parlee, J&W Construction
Carole Klinko, Turtle Cove Marina Ltd
Pierre Magnier, Carlisle Supplies
Patrick Hayward, Benchmark Survey Associates Ltd
Cecilia Holden, Staff Solutions Ltd
Frankie Soman, Landtech Surveyors
Carmela Giordano, Java Island
Melinda Volkert, Provo Turtle Divers
Pedro M. Ariza, Ariza Group of Companies
Marius Vultur, Comptronics
Stacy Cox, TCHTA
Maureen Woods, Marine & Coastal Consulting
Steve Ross, M&S Trust Company Ltd
Carlos Simons, Tim O’Sullivan, Adrian Corr, Neil Coles, Miller, Simons, O’Sullivan
Kenneth Brown, Kenneth Brown Construction Ltd
Wendy Hill, Life Savers
Ray Durie, Atlantic Stone Systems Ltd
Mike Hryniuk, Windsong Resort
Blair Mason, Aircool Ltd
Wendy Hill, Providenciales Chamber of Commerce
Mike O’Connell, Crown Building Services Ltd
Brenda Zdenek, Ad Vantage Ltd
Rachel Ramdin, Flamingo Pharmacy
Charles Zdenek, Acacia Villa
Luise Bayley, Nila Destinations Ltd
Lisa Zdenek, The Rakers Ltd
Barry Dempsey, Turks and Caicos Property Ltd
Arthur Jones, Norstar Group Ltd
Andy Kernan, Island Stairworks Ltd
Stephanie Camozzi, Tiki Hut Islands Eatery
Chloe Zimmermann, Marco Travel
Alastair Dods, Caicos Tours Ltd
Mary O’Neil, ArtProvo
Carl Simmons, Cargo Express/Tropical Shipping
David Ward, Ward Construction
Robert Mensen, Southern Shores Ltd
G.R Aquino, Bayview Motors
G.R Aquino, Avis Rent A Car
G.R. Aquino, Napa Auto Parts
Margarette Fletcher, Islandsportique
Terry Erskine, Quality MEP
Norman Saunders, Saunders & Co
Oswald Williams, Caribbean Environmental Design Assoc.
Foluso Ladejobi, The Source Ltd
Nigel Wardle, Turks and Caicos Utilities Ltd
Morgan Luker, SURFside Enterprises Ltd
Malaika Wint, Insight Ltd (t/a The Patty Place)
Dovroan W. Ingham, Dove’s Security Services
Adina Ciurar, Graceway Sports Centre
Kirk Graff, MPL Enterprises
Mark Pankhurst, Stargazer Villa (QED Enterprises TC Ltd)
Trevor Musgrove, Discovery Tours & Adventures Ltd
Trevor Musgrove, T. Holdings Ltd
Mike Speer, Caribbean Marine & Diesel Ltd
Philippe Kunz, Caicos Adventures Ltd
Maxfred G. Williams, Gordon Electric dba Provo Electric
Maxfred G. Williams, Gordon Supply
Marsha Pardee, MerAngel Ecological Services
Ken Muirhead, Caledonian Business Systems Ltd
Sherita Delancy, Easy Lease Ltd
Terry Selver, Air and Sea Agency
Kit Fenimore, T&C Travel
Kristi Vestal, After5 Island Concierge
Debbie Been, Salt Cay Divers
Martin Regan, J.S. Johnson (Turks and Caicos) Ltd
Michele McNair, Compass Rose Cottage, Salt Cay
Simon Taylor, BCQS International
Martee Doverspike, Pioneer Cleaners
Alvin, Garland & Co
Dale Papke, Greencoat Investments owners of Ports of Call Resort & Plaza
Etienne Leblanc, Caribbean Tours International
Etienne Leblanc, One Love Cafe
Basia Zaidan, Tranquility Property Management Ltd
Etienne Leblanc, Island Trading Company
Sara Kaufman, Forbes, Forbes & Forbes Ltd
Daniel Forbes, Forbes, Forbes & Forbes Ltd
Joe Zahm, Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty
Galmo Williams, Gilleys Enterprises Group
Gerry Gregg, Island Fire Supplies Ltd
Alan Lawley, Villa del Mar-Del Mar Developments
Althea Williams, Provo Travel Ltd
Keith Miles, CashWiz TCI Ltd
Will Miles, Sky Pilot Parasail Ltd
Nigel Wardle, TC Express
Conrad Griffiths, David Cadman, Griffiths & Partners
Robert Greenwood, Regency International Estates
Jim Gillette, North Caicos Yacht Club & Marina
Floyd Seymour, Century 21
Albert Musgrove, Diamond Construction
Mary Lou VanderHeide, CaribMedia Solutions
Mary Lou Papachristou, Clarity Marketing Solutions
Emma Halliday, Island Life Ltd
Ken Patterson, Santral Ltd (Seven Stars Management Company)
Ken Patterson, Seven Stars Investment Group
Nick Haywood, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Paul Cawte, Climatech
Mark Parrish, Concept Plus Limited
Bruce Maclaren, Gansevoort TC
Tony Lancaster, The Insurance Centre
Carlis Williams, Cee’s Family Enterprises Ltd
Dane Underwood, WBC Management dba The West Bay Club
Algie Missick, Executive Tours
Algie Missick, New Era Petroleum
Chester M Smith, CEO/Owner Smithco Ltd
Joanna Ivasiuk, Breaking Waves Management Solutions Ltd
Walter Gardiner, Horton Realty
Tibor Gula, Tibor’s Machine Shop
Jay Stubbs, Sail Provo
Washington Misick, Prestigious Properties Ltd
Paul Chaplin, Green Revolution Ltd
Kishore, Manish & Pavan Uttamchandani, Ananda Ltd dba KB Home Center
Rob Ayer, Apollo Developments Ltd, Gansevoort TCI
Lyle Schmidek, Grace Bay Realty Ltd
Lyndon Gardiner, Air Turks and Caicos
Clive Stanbrook & Robert Brace, KH Capital
Michael Rosati, Abuv-It-All Ltd
Clive Whent, Bay Bistro Resturant
Enrique Hurtado, Harbour Transport Ltd
Domingo Hernandez, D.O.M. Design Ltd
Ralph Dietsche, Ship Ahoy Ltd
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