…”or we going to get busy” – Trotman asksWith several changes being proposed to the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime in the 2017 NationalMinister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman.Budget, Minister of Natural Resources,Cheap Jerseys, Raphael Trotman, has said that Guyanese have a choice to make; either to see the glass half empty or to see it half full.“What are we going to do? Complain about the VAT on water,NFL Jerseys China, or on electricity and do nothing else? Or complain about VAT on water and electricity and get busy?”The Minister was delivering his Feature Address at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)’s Annual Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Thursday evening at the Marriott Hotel Kingston, Georgetown.The Minister’s comment came days after the 2017 National Budget was presented in the National Assembly by Minister of Finance,NFL Jerseys China, Winston Jordan. In it Jordan proposed plans to reduce the 16% VAT to 14% as well as to apply it to monthly electricity and water bills exceeding $10,000 and $1,Cheap Jerseys,500 respectively.Jordan also proposed to increase the VAT threshold from $10 million to $15 million, as well as to expand the list of exempt items and eliminate all zero-rated items,Wholesale China Jerseys, with the exception of those pertaining to exports and manufacturing inputs.Since then, there has been much public discourse with strong comments coming from several Private Sector representative organisations; and individuals, many of whom would have taken to Social Media to air their concerns.“We can look at the glass being half empty and forget that VAT has been lowered by two percent and that corporate taxes have been lowered; or we can complain.”The Natural Resources Minister said that while the Government preferred that “we all live in a country where there are no complaints” it can never be the case. Trotman reiterated the call for everyone to “get busy” and advised that citizens “look beyond the horizon”“There is an old Indian proverb that goes: I have no shoes and complained until I met a man that had no feet. We have always been a resilient people; we have always been an innovative people; we have always been a people of strong faith and believe and the change of Government or whatever cannot change who we are as Guyanese.”The Minister added that greatness is embedded in all Guyanese and as a people they can do better and will do better. He urged that Guyanese be brave for the tsunami of opportunity that is headed this way. He was referring to the emerging Oil and Gas Sector.He stated that ExxonMobil is expected to bring online several initiatives that will allow Guyanese to benefit.“Those who move to higher ground by lifting their eyes and attitudes will not only survive,Wholesale China NFL Jerseys, but strive. Unfortunately, those who wish to remain welded to the same spot where they have been standing for the past 50 years and expect some politician or some government to do better will drown in what is coming while others flood our shores and seize the initiative.”

…despite 17% drop in int’l aircraft arrivals The automated car park booth (at right) under construction.By Leonard GildarieDespite a severe global economic downturn,Cheap Jerseys, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the country’s main facility of its kind, still managed to collect $600M in revenue last year, just $2M less than 2008. Its profit was some $285M. This was even in the face of a 17% decrease in the movement of international aircraft.According to Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir,Cheap Jerseys From China, the airport managed to earn extra revenue from increased advertising in the form of billboards and other areas. Some $271M has been transferred to government’s coffers.The official made the revelations yesterday at the Timehri facility during a review of CJIA’s performance last year. The airport managed to decrease its expenditure to $315M from $332M spent in 2008.However, passenger arrivals increased 5% compared with 2008, to 216,064. This arrivals figure is second only to 2007 (228,285) and came at a time when passenger movement worldwide dropped by 3.1%.In the area of imported cargo, 2,725 tonnes were transported via air last year, a drop of 4%. Exports of goods through the facility saw a marginal drop of 0.5% to 1,393 tonnes when worldwide cargo movement dropped steeply by 15%.CJIA, according to Ghir, recorded 3,652 international aircraft movements,Cheap Jerseys Supply, a significant 17% decline from 2008. The decrease was mainly from airlines dropping their numbers of flights as a cost-cutting measure.AchievementsHowever,NBA Jerseys From China, the airport, in diversification mode after suffering from revenue losses from the reduced number of international flights, granted four new concessions to businesses, including Oasis Caf?, Republic Bank for an ATM Machine, Roti Hut/Rituals Coffee and Kings Jewellery.Last year, CJIA managed to establish its own security unit with 10 persons to assist the police stationed at the outpost there.Work has also commenced on a $274M upgrade of the airport taxiway and apron. Yesterday, during an inspection of the works being executed by BK International, Minister of Public Works,Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys, Robeson Benn, expressed his concerns over the taxiway appearing not too level, but the consultant explained that this would take additional work since he was only hired to take off two inches and recap it.Meanwhile, a new car park booth is under construction and the issuing of parking tickets will be automated. Presently, the tickets are being done manually. The booth is expected to be completed by next month.There will also be the installation of 20 new check-in systems, two passenger self-check-in kiosks and a new flight information display system, the contracts for which were signed last year with the multinational information technology company, SITA. These are expected to be up and running by mid-year, Ghir disclosed.The airport has also rehabilitated an aircraft in which visiting students can experience flight simulations as part of their school tour.CJIA last year also repaired its main runway lights and serviced the runway end indicator light and installed equipment in the control tower to monitor and change the lighting system in the aerodrome.CJIA has also worked to protect its back-up power system with the installation of a $2.5M radiator for its 750kva generator and has acquired two new 30-seater Coaster buses to transport employees and security personnel to and from the airport.Last year, CJIA carried out a mandatory airport emergency plan with a simulated airplane crash where 300 persons participated. The exercise, Ghir said, was a success and met the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).An audit last year by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) saw the airport’s Aerodrome Certificate being renewed in compliance with ICAO’s requirements.According to Ghir, CJIA as part of its policies continued extensive training for employees in Customer Care, First Aid, Aviation Security and Team Building.It also assisted several Timehri schools with the donations of water dispensers, painting of pedestrian crossings and clearing of sewerage systems.2010 plansThis year, CJIA intends to complete ongoing projects, complete an Airport Master Plan and establish a Training Division for staffers.In addition to new directional signs leading to the airport, the Departure Duty Free Area will see remodeling with the upgrade of the washrooms there.It was stressed that illegal vendors,NFL Jerseys Wholesale, and poultry and livestock farmers in the vicinity of the airport will be removed this year. Addi

Justice Winston Patterson yesterday sentenced Kumar Lall,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, called ‘Black Sam’,Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic, and Reuben Williams, called ‘Buggin’,Wholesale Jerseys China, each to 12 years for manslaughter.The duo was charged with the murder of rum shop owner Michael Reid, on July 29,Wholesale China Jerseys, 2005 at Parika.On Wednesday, the jury found Lall and Williams guilty of a lesser count of manslaughter.The prosecution’s case was presented by State Prosecutor Dionne McCammon and Kara Duff-Yehudah, who contended that Lall and Willams bludgeoned Reid with a piece of wood following a row.Defence lawyers Hukumchand,Cheap NFL Jerseys, Kamini Parag and Sonia Parag argued for justifiable homicide and self defence.Yesterday, the defence made a plea of mitigation, stating that Lall resides with his family and assists his father with farming.They also argued that Williams is married,Authentic Jerseys From China, with five children.