Duty Concession Ends in 30 Days

Chief Secretary George
McCarthy addresses a
question on the policy of civil
servants. 

President of the Chamber, Joey Hew, Leader of
Business Government, Hon Kurt Tibbetts, Minister of
Education, Hon Alden McLaughlin, Minister of
Community Services, Hon Arden McLean and CEO of
the Chamber, Wil Pineau.

Friday,  September 30, 2005

The 50 percent duty concession for building materials, furniture, fixtures and appliances has been extended by only one month to 31 October and the Government will not be extending the duty concessions on office equipment and office fixtures when it expires on 30 September.

This was announced by the Leader of Business Government, Hon Kurt Tibbetts at the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce, (CICC) luncheon on 28 September.

“The duty concession on building materials, furniture and equipment as a result of Hurricane Ivan was extended until 30 September.”

He added that the Governor in Cabinet had approved the existing concession on these materials but that the concession on office materials would not be extended.

A number of people have raised concerns over the concessions, as so many people are still awaiting insurance settlements and the start of work on their homes. Even with this one-month extension many may still miss out on the concession.

At the special Chamber Lunch however Mr Tibbetts did illustrate his concern over the problem of housing and said that his Government was placing the issue high on the agenda.

“In light of the fact that every family needs a home we have placed housing high on the priority list,” said Mr Tibbetts. “Along with the $7.5 million allocated to housing recovery by the last administration, this Government has thus far approved $4 million to continue with the recovery efforts.

“We are just about completed making assessments in the various districts with regard to financial considerations. The National Recovery Trust continues with its fundraising efforts and it is hoped that in the very near future the National Recovery Fund will receive a grant from the European Union. The amount of this grant has not yet been determined.”

Mr Tibbetts discussed numerous areas covering his administration’s first 100 days in office including crime, education, planning, development in the Sister Islands, recovery from Hurricane Ivan, disaster preparedness, health services, human services, tourism and immigration.

Mr Tibbetts discussed how Government is addressing the war on violent crime, which has become a primary of concern of the community.

“Without a doubt at the present time the greatest area of concern for all of us must be the increase of serious and violent crime and the growing audacity of these criminals,” he said.

“Events over the past few weeks make it clear that all of us are at risk. But we must not yield. We will not yield this country up to a small minority of individuals who seek to disrupt this hitherto peaceful society and to threaten our very way of life.”

He added that $49.3 million has been earmarked to the police force over the next three years and that a police station will be established on Seven Mile Beach.

 Additionally, repairs are progressing for the police stations in East End and North Side.

He also explained the Cabinet has approved a draft of a series of bills aimed at combating crime. These bills include tougher bail laws, anti-gang provisions, illegal firearms and detaining suspects.

There is also a proposed amendment of the prison law, which will change the amount of time served from one-third to five-ninths of a sentence.

“This Government has acted with deliberation and determination to empower our Police, our Courts and Prisons to deal with what is a critical situation,” said the Leader of Government Business.

“Let’s be clear about one thing, we live here too, and we will not take a passive approach to dealing with crime in the Cayman Islands,” he said.

Mr Tibbetts reviewed Government’s efforts to address educational issues including the recent educational conference where over 500 participants attended.

He said the result will be a national consensus document which will be brought to the Legislative Assembly in October and will serve as a blueprint to improving the country’s educational system from pre-school to college.

Mr Tibbetts also discussed the various initiatives to re-invigorate tourism as well as the importance of protecting the environment, which is a fundamental part of the industry. 

“This Government has already held extensive meetings with all tourism stakeholders, both local and overseas, to assess the challenges and opportunities,” said Mr Tibbetts.

“In the immediate term we were successful in persuading the US State Department to lift the deadline of 1 Jan 2006 requiring all U.S. citizens to have passports when traveling to the Caribbean.”

He also reviewed the administration’s efforts to strengthen the relationship between the Department of Tourism and Cayman Airways as well as appoint a new board to tackle the airline’s financial issues.

Mr Tibbetts said that Cabinet approved a draft of a Freedom of Information Bill, which will be put to the Legislative Assembly next month and will apply to all government departments and companies, and public authorities and government companies.

“This new law, when it comes into effect, will act as an important companion to the work for the Complaints Commissioner and serve to significantly improve accountability, performance and transparency across the entire public sector,” he said.

He added that Government has kept its promise in addressing numerous issues out in the open.

Chamber members posed numerous questions to the Chamber panel including the Minister of Education, Hon Alden McLaughlin, and the Minister of Community Services, Hon Arden McLean.

Questions addressed included landfill management, alternative training, civil service, fiscal management and office space.

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