{"id":193885,"date":"2024-01-15T09:53:56","date_gmt":"2024-01-15T13:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=193885"},"modified":"2024-01-15T09:53:56","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T13:53:56","slug":"antigua-and-barbuda-government-probes-soaring-prices-amidst-sales-tax-hike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/antigua-and-barbuda-government-probes-soaring-prices-amidst-sales-tax-hike\/","title":{"rendered":"Antigua and Barbuda Government Probes Soaring Prices Amidst Sales Tax Hike"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Prices and Consumer Affairs Division is actively investigating complaints of unethical pricing practices in response to a 2 percent rise in the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST).<\/p>

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Trade Minister EP Chet Greene confirmed the probe and urged the public to let professionals conduct assessments, assuring strict measures against proven violations. Information Minister Melford Nicholas acknowledged public concerns about exorbitant price increases, exceeding the ABST rate, prompting government action.<\/p>\n

The Prices and Consumers Affairs Division, led by Orrin Steele, is addressing the issue, and Minister Nicholas emphasized their commitment to preventing price gouging. The government, considering public welfare, has adjusted the basket of ABST-exempt items to mitigate the impact on vulnerable groups.<\/p>

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Minister Nicholas reassured that the government never intended the tax increase to harm society’s most vulnerable members and highlighted efforts to align ABST rates for visitors and residents, reducing the inflationary impact on the economically disadvantaged.<\/p>

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