GMA laments SN business supplement 'inaccuracy'
Guyana Chronicle
April 3, 2004
THE Guyana Manufacturers' Association (GMA) said it is extremely concerned about the inaccurate impression conveyed in an article captioned 'Remission System still a Mess - says Manufacturers' which appeared in the Stabroek News Business Supplement yesterday.
The Association through its Executive Director commented to the contrary in a telephone conversation Thursday afternoon, by stating that the meeting referred to in the article was both cordial and encouraging. "The issues presented were adequately addressed and the GMA was satisfied that efforts were in train to put systems in place to deal with the constraints manufacturers were experiencing as a result of the provisions of Order 29 of September 1st 2003 and the subsequent amendment of February 10th, 2004," the association said in a statement.
According to the GMA, its Executive Director had further indicated to Stabroek Business that a joint statement would have been issued on the outcome of the meeting. The GMA noted that as a responsible Private Sector Organization, it cannot help but notice that the Stabroek News article referred to, totally ignores the GMA's opinion or any comment from members/manufacturers who were present at the said meeting.
"This undesirable situation can only serve to fuel distrust, disharmony and non-cooperation among manufacturers, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and by extension, policy makers and implementers," it lamented.
"In a society that is seeing more than its fair share of acrimony among many who hold positions of influence in all sectors; the GMA wishes to appeal to Stabroek Business to re-examine the facts surrounding the GMA and the GRA as they currently apply to the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Act and subsequently inform the nation accordingly," it urged.
"As a premier business organization in the country, the GMA has a responsibility to all its members, all authorities and the entire society; and if left up to us we may not have made public at this preliminary stage the details of this meeting with the GRA," it said. "The GMA and the GRA did agree to monthly meetings and contact persons were identified within both agencies to deal with emergency situations should they arise," it added.
The article in the Stabroek Business stated that seven months after the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Act was passed, manufacturers are still running around in circles to clear goods off the wharf.
"Many want to see the system which replaced the Secretary to the Treasury (ST) letters of exemption/remission, to be far more efficient," it further stated.