Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says the new revenue measures including increased excise on several things announced in Parliament last week are in no way meant to bring hardship or pressure on persons in this country.

Speaking in Parliament last Wednesday during his wrap-up of the 2016 National Budget, Dr. Gonsalves pointed out that the monies to be derived from these revenue measures will among other things help the government in financing the salary increase being paid to Public Servants and teachers.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gonsalves in speaking last Friday on the Shake Up program aired here on WEFM said the revenue measures are reasonable and were creatively crafted.

He also explained the government’s reason for not including chicken back, neck and wings among the chicken and chicken parts, which will be removed from the list of Value Added Tax (VAT), zero-rated items effective May 1st this year.

In relation to the decision to remove brown sugar from the list of VAT exempted items, Dr. Gonsalves said this will bring the country in line with international standards to tax sugar and sugary products, so as to reduce consumption in a bid to curb the growing incidences of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, such as diabetes.

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