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PM Browne: Duty-Free Concessions Support Middle-Class Growth, No Plans to End Them
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has dismissed calls to eliminate duty-free vehicle concessions, arguing that the policy plays a crucial role in empowering working-class citizens, boosting disposable income, and stimulating economic growth.
Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne responded to a letter proposing that duty-free exemptions be reduced or removed to fund road repairs. He rejected the idea, stating, “These exemptions are not a right. It’s part of a benevolent policy to help the average person to continue to increase their disposable income by assisting them with duty waivers.”
He highlighted how duty-free benefits have made vehicle ownership more accessible, particularly for workers in tourism, domestic services, and other essential industries. “A lot of the home domestics, those who work in hotels, have been empowered because of this policy. They used to make maybe $100 a day, now they make $300 a day because they’re mobile and can take on more work.”
Browne also emphasized that the policy has broader economic benefits, including increased demand for fuel, auto services, and vehicle-related products, which contributes to government revenue through consumption taxes. “The increased demand for vehicles has led to greater fuel consumption, generating additional tax revenue for the government,” he said.
While acknowledging the need to raise funds for road infrastructure, Browne made it clear that duty-free vehicle waivers will remain. “If we announce tomorrow that we are stopping duty-free concessions, the public backlash would be far greater than for the $100 licensing fee increase,” he said.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed that the government will continue supporting affordable vehicle ownership while balancing infrastructure investments.
For more updates on Antigua & Barbuda’s economic policies, visit Antigua Newsroom.
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300 a day…..must be the managers he talking, cause not even with tips i get to earn that. SMH
As I always say…GAROTS ALWAYS WANT EVERTHING FOR FREE…and o yes…ALWAYS A COMPLAIN!
I could have sworn that the PM had announced, after the last election, that all duty free was done. I had no clue it was still going on.
I hear the PM argument, and I see his point of view. But I’m also concerned about the increased traffic and our road system struggling to keep up
I would love to also see an improvement in our public transportation system which could also assist in reducing the congestion on the roads.
One of my biggest gripes about the current public transport system is that we don’t have set times for buses to arrive. If the system is very liable, and we have proper bus stops, we can ease the congestion
The same vehicle owners who got those concessions are the one complaining the most. This is what happens when you spoil people. They do not appreciate the gifts and it becomes a right. And it is the 20 000 duty free vehicles for these so-called low income and upper low income people who have contributed largely to the state of the roads. Now all must pay. You will soon have to introduce a tax to dispose all of these old vehicles that were imported from Japan when they are no longer driveable. This will be the next environmental disaster.
“Duty-free concessions for some, higher fees for the rest—sounds fair, right? 😒
So we can get a break on buying cars, but we’ll pay for it in licensing fees. Clever!
Why are we always paying more while others get concessions? This is frustrating.
If the roads were actually in good condition, maybe people wouldn’t mind paying more. Fix the damn roadsss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the roads were actually in good condition, maybe people wouldn’t mind paying more. Fix the damn roadsss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I get that fees had to go up, but 40% all at once? That’s harsh.
Where is the money going? I need to know!!!!!!!!!!!!
Retired, hardworking civil servants who NEVER received a penny’s worth of tax exemption/duty-free concessions from this or any previous administration, who drive, for personal use only, a vehicle whether a sedan or even a SUV, purchased over ten (10) years ago but kept in mint condition, SHOULD RECEIVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION before the proposed increase in vehicle registration fees comes into effect.
My humble contribution to the national consultation on the matter.
Ever more misleading financial misguidance from Gaston ‘Gaslighting’ Browne as per usual. He’s only breaking this middling APOSIOPESIS narrative to give himself more time to try and hoodwink the public at large.
Antiguans know that he’s going to go ahead anyways with this extortionate 40% vehicle licensing fee increase. Browne’s slight hesitancy is only due to the understandable outcry.
As more of our disposable income is continually eroded by this ABLP government, Antiguans continue to ponder how wage increases must NEVER exceed inflationary figures, yet the cost of living and this 40% licensing fee can.
Mark my words, Browne is going full steam ahead with this utter wallet/purse emptying nonsense.
Why PM Browne doesn’t stop the bullshit to try and justify his increase of the license fee the duty free concessions was always about getting votes to cement your party in power the Lickspittle Brigade might be dumb enough to accept the con but not the rest of us