Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony in an interview with HTS says he is not surprised by the closure of so many small businesses here in Saint Lucia. This comment came in the wake of numerous complaints lodged by small businesses about the current economic environment in Saint Lucia citing the Value Added Tax VAT as the principle cause of these businesses shutting their doors. Dr. Anthony went on to blame the small business owners for their demise noting that it was inevitable for the closure of these businesses as their eminent demise started prior to the downturn.
He also noted the opening of numerous businesses in the current environment, however, we are yet to verify his claims. Kenny Anthony made mention of the construction of a new business place in his constituency under trying circumstances, but what he didn't say was that this business place in question is being heavily subsidized by his government and the tax payers of Saint Lucia. In spite of all this, Kenny Anthony emphasized that he is aware of the challenges facing small businesses albeit after blaming them for their demise. He said that low purchasing power of the citizenry is contributing to the challenges faced by those small businesses explaining that unemployment rate hovering over 20% makes it difficult for families and their purchasing power, however he is quite optimistic about the economy. NB that this optimism has been there for almost 2 years with no betterdays in sight.
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