Robert Myers co chair of The Coalition for Responsible Taxation

Nassau, Bahamas - In response to Prime Minister Perry Christie’s invitation to submit recommendations on viable alternatives to VAT, The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) ‘Coalition for Responsible Taxation’ has commissioned Oxford Economics, one of the world’s foremost independent global advisory firms, to conduct economic forecasting and modeling. They arrive next week and following meetings with the Prime Minister and his finance team, will commence their studies for a final recommendation for government review and consideration.

Prime Minister Christie had stipulated that the Coalition's research must be conducted by persons with internationally acceptable credentials for the recommendations to have credibility and value.

Coalition co-chair, Rob Myers said that their commissioning of the acclaimed economics group and their subsequent arrival to start work next week is based on approval for such an initiative by the Prime Minister and his Value Added Taxation team.

“We initially submitted a list of economic groups that we were proposing could handle the project; all met with government approval so we then narrowed it down to Oxford Economics who had worked here previously with the government and so are familiar with the country, which we considered useful,” said Mr. Myers.

“The government has already provided us with some of the relevant information required by the Coalition and the Oxford Economics team. When they arrive next week, they will meet with the financial secretary and his team, Members of Parliament, members of the Coalition and other industry leaders. Economic Modeling is expected to be completed by mid-May when recommendations will be presented to Prime Minister Christie for immediate review.”

Oxford Economics has been engaged by the government of The Bahamas in the past and is known as a key advisor to corporate, financial and government decision-makers across the globe. Their worldwide client base comprises over 850 international organizations, including leading multinational companies, financial institutions and key government bodies. With their best-of-class global economic and industry models and analytical tools they have an unparalleled ability to forecast market trends and assess their economic, social and business impact.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his/her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of TheBahamasWeekly.com

 

T-SHIRT DAY: Tiffani Lightbourne and Jennifer Pedican-Dames of New Oriental Cleaners will both bewearing these brightly coloured T-shirts on Wednesday March 12th to drum up support for the The Coalition for Responsible Taxation. Called WAKEUP WEDNESDAY the promotional push will unite employees of other participating businesses also wearing the T-shirts and remind others to sign the online Petition at www.wakeupbahamas.com.