Dear Editor,
As any business person will tell you, time is money. Policy or project implementations must be done on a timely basis to maximise gains. We all expect teething pains with a new policy, but we must do everything to rectify the problems as soon as possible.
The new Customs Administration Fee (CAF) has been riddled with problems since the implementation. Some of the problems have been resolved, but there are still some outstanding issues.
I was elated when the finance minister announced in his Budget presentation that the CAF would be partially rolled back for the importers of raw material, packaging materials and spare parts in the manufacturing sector. This should have been effective June 1, 2013. However, upon implementation there was some error in the official document and the concession was only applicable to the importation of raw materials and not packaging materials and spare parts. The document was subsequently sent back to the Ministry of Finance to be amended. To date the situation remains the same, and the manufacturers are still burdened with these excessive costs.
I get the impression that the Government is not in a rush to have this matter rectified as the longer it takes, the more revenue they will continue to collect as the concession will not be retroactive. The matter needs to be fast-tracked, as manufacturers are having it very difficult at this time. I am calling on the powers that be to expedite the process so we all can put this matter behind us and concentrate on building a better Jamaica.
Andrew Gray
Savanna-la-Mar
Westmoreland
Whither the CAF rollback?
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As any business person will tell you, time is money. Policy or project implementations must be done on a timely basis to maximise gains. We all expect teething pains with a new policy, but we must do everything to rectify the problems as soon as possible.
The new Customs Administration Fee (CAF) has been riddled with problems since the implementation. Some of the problems have been resolved, but there are still some outstanding issues.
I was elated when the finance minister announced in his Budget presentation that the CAF would be partially rolled back for the importers of raw material, packaging materials and spare parts in the manufacturing sector. This should have been effective June 1, 2013. However, upon implementation there was some error in the official document and the concession was only applicable to the importation of raw materials and not packaging materials and spare parts. The document was subsequently sent back to the Ministry of Finance to be amended. To date the situation remains the same, and the manufacturers are still burdened with these excessive costs.
I get the impression that the Government is not in a rush to have this matter rectified as the longer it takes, the more revenue they will continue to collect as the concession will not be retroactive. The matter needs to be fast-tracked, as manufacturers are having it very difficult at this time. I am calling on the powers that be to expedite the process so we all can put this matter behind us and concentrate on building a better Jamaica.
Andrew Gray
Savanna-la-Mar
Westmoreland
Whither the CAF rollback?
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