~ Will help finance causeway project ~
POINTE BLANCHE--Fee increases for importation of full containers via Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities went into effect June 2. Approval for the fee increase had been requested by St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies and approved by the Ministry of Tourism and Economic Affairs in January.
Notification of the increases was published in the press two months ago and all relevant partners were informed of the changes by St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies.
Initial calculations by the harbour group estimate that the total cumulative impact over the three-year period on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in 2014 will be around 0.22-0.28 per cent.
The fee increases levied on agents/container lines will be phased in over a three-year period and are meant to generate (part of the) funding for the Simpson Bay causeway project.
Several Members of Parliament (MPs) have voiced concerns about the fee increases and about the effect they will have on residents in tight economic times.
Based on information gathered, the increase in fees has been pending since 2010, but was put on hold when an increase in the Turnover Tax (ToT) was deemed necessary by government to boost its income.
At present the fee for a full, 20-foot import container is US $234.84, an increase of US $54.19. For a full, 40-foot import container, the fee is now US $262.70, up by US $60.62.
Fees for the two types of containers will be increased by 10 per cent as of January 1, 2013 and by another by 10 per cent on January 1, 2014.
A fuel throughput fee per landed litre when destined for GEBE or Princess Juliana International Airport has been increased by US $0.02.
The fuel throughput fee per landed litre for any other purpose will be gradually increased over the next three years. These fees are levied on the fuel importers.
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