The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Government yesterday said it was hoping to fully populate the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Tribunal "quickly" in a bid to resolve long-standing disputes and uncertainties.

K Peter Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister and minister of finance, confirmed the move after Super Value's owner recently told Tribune Business he wanted a clear and transparent process for dealing with VAT-related disputes, as provided for in law. "That was never set up, even though they promised that it would be set up. If I want to file an appeal there is nowhere to go to appeal, and if there is no appeal then I want my money back. I don't think I should appeal to you now three years later. We have to try and work this this thing out," Rupert Roberts recently told this newspaper.

He added that Mr Turnquest had given assurances the issue was being addressed, something the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed yesterday. He said: "Yes, I am looking into that. Unfortunately it is not an easy task, but we are hoping to bring the full complement of Tribunal members on-board quickly so that matters can be referred to them rather than the Ministry for adjudication."

Edison Sumner, the Chamber of Commerce's chief executive, told Tribune Business: "In some previous discussions, about two months ago, we were told that the Tribunal has been identified. Whether it has been fully constituted is another story. We were advised that the Tribunal has been identified. We haven't gotten any further updates since then."