The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is calling on Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas to make himself available to discuss issues affecting the economy.
The VCCI says the requested meeting will follow-up on a letter dated 30 May 2016 on issues relating to tourism, the boar tusk initiative and transfer of Vanuatu Intelligence Unit and others.
For instance, it says under the tourism sector, the VCCI called for the Vanuatu Investment Promotion Authority (VIPA) to reduce business application and renewal fees.
It also seeks to get approval for Air Vanuatu to reduce its fares and for the finalization of the airport upgrade plans with the World Bank.
The VCCI also wants to see commercial banks give loan grace periods, and to defer proposed tax changes for at least 2 years.
Under the finance sector, the VCCI called on the government to support the "Boar Tusk" initiative to lobby for Vanuatu's return to the FATF white-list.
It also seeks to get the government to move the Finance Intelligence Unit (FIU) to the Reserve Bank.
The VCCI wants to discuss with the prime minister so it could request the government to not rush the tax review study nor propose income tax legislation which they believe was drafted without an adequate cost/benefit study.
There are 47 recommendations in total in the five page letter that was submitted to the Prime Minister. The VCCI is hoping the Prime Minister will meet with the VCCI Council in the coming days to review the recommendations raised.
Meanwhile, the VCCI has confirmed receiving a verbal response from the Prime Minister’s Office for the VCCI executive to meet with the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Minister responsible for Trade and Tourism to raise the issues and recommendations.
However, the VCCI said it felt that meeting the Prime Minister would be more appropriate as most final decisions come from him.
Earlier in April, the VCCI met and briefed Prime Minister Salwai about issues faced by the business community.
The meeting provided the VCCI the opportunity to learn the plans that the government had in terms of business development.
According to the VCCI, the PMO is responsible for the elaboration and the oversight of the implementation of the national strategic plan of the country and questioned whether the prime minister could make himself available again so they can raise possible solutions or recommendations that would assist in solving the outstanding economic issues.
Photo: Port Vila’s Bauerfield International Airport runway upgrade completed