Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley today announced the extension the reduction of customs duties.

Speaking at today’s ‘One on One’ press conference, Premier Wheatley said Cabinet has approved the extension, which allows for customs duties on imports above five-percent (5%) to be reduced to five-percent for a period of three months, beginning July 15.

Premier Wheatley said the reduction is being done “to ease the effects of financial burden Virgin Islands residents are experiencing due to the pandemic and Ukraine-Russia conflict”.

The Honourable Premier also announced the extension of the reduction of import duty on diesel and gasoline; from 22 cents to 11 cents on diesel, and from 32 cents to 16 cents on gasoline. The reduction also continues for cement and propane; from 18 cents to 9 cents per 100 pounds of cement; and $1.20 to 60 cents for 100 pounds of propane.

Premier Wheatley said that the value of the reduction on residents over the past three months total $6-million, which he said should be seen as “as an injection into the overall economy”.

Additionally, Premier Wheatley announced a 50-percent (50%) reduction on remittance tax, from seven percent (7%) to three-point-five percent (3.5%). He said that a “large segment of the VI population uses the remittances services” and the hope is that it can help students and families abroad to cope with the current economic challenges.

The Honourable Premier also said that while Government may collect less revenue, the reduction may encourage a greater volume of transactions.

To watch the Premier’s full statement, go to ‘BVI Government’ on Facebook.

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NOTES TO EDITOR(S): Photo is attached.

Premier Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley at today’s ‘One on One’ press conference. (Photo credit: Ronnielle Frazer/ GIS)