The Private Sector Commission held its twenty-fifth Annual General Meeting yesterday, Thursday, June 8, 2017, at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, and elected a new Executive to serve for 2017-2018.
Businessman, Edward Boyer, was re-elected unopposed to the position of Chairman while Shipping Executive, Desmond Sears, was re-elected as Vice-Chairman.
Past Chairman Major General (ret’d) Norman McLean was elected to the position of Secretary and Financial Expert, Mr. Fitzroy McLeod, was reelected unopposed as Treasurer.
Delivering his report to the formal meeting on Thursday afternoon, Boyer reflected on the challenges experienced by the Business Sector over the past two years. He alluded to the slow growth of the economy and increased taxation implemented by the government as contributing factors.
“The 2017 Budget…reduced VAT from 16% to 14% but introduced VAT on water and electricity, both essential services and both of which measures were decried by the PSC. The introduction of VAT on private education was also a blow to many parents and to those seeking to further their education, and the Commission maintains that the social impact of such policies should be carefully considered before their imposition,” he noted.
The Chairman vowed that the PSC will work towards insuring the interest of the Business community.
In his closing remarks, Boyer pleaded with the Government and Opposition to work together “in the interest of allowing the country to bring onboard fresh ideas instead of bickering and casting blame.”
He noted that in these challenging financial times, political division serves no purpose “unless the aim is for it to be truly a banana republic. I, therefore, urge that the country’s development be high on the agenda regardless of who holds power.”
