The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A Bahamian retailer yesterday voiced frustration at additional vendor permit requirements that he branded “unhelpful” to the ease of doing business.

James Wallace, owner/operator of Janaees Uniform Centre, told Tribune Business he is tired of arbitrary policies that now require him to obtain a police character certificate before he can be issued with his vendor’s permit.

“I’m trying to apply for a vendor’s permit that I have been getting for years. I am told that I need to get a police character certificate. That can’t be right,” he said. “That is the height of stupidity, it is an impediment and it is absolutely ridiculous.”

As per the Bahamas government’s policy on vendor permits, all that is required is for the person to be a citizen or permanent resident. They must also possess a vendor’s permit from the Ministry of Works.

Applicants must have a valid piece of identification, a food handler’s certificate and a letter from the Department of Environmental Health if they are handling food items; a valid Business License; and a letter from the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).

However, the business inspection and licensing section at the RBPF is now telling Mr Wallace he needs a police character certificate in order to get a vendor’s permit.

Mr Wallace said this wastes too much time when he did not have to get one before. “Now I have to stand on a long line and wait a few days in order to get a police certificate. This is unhelpful for the ease of doing business,” he added.

Antonio Munroe, superintendent in charge of the RBPF’s business inspection and licensing section, told Tribune Business that this policy was “always in place for some vendors. We are now just doing it for all vendors.”

Asked why the sudden change, Superintendent Munroe said the RBPF just wants to “know all of their customers”. The new policy just took effect last month, he added, and there is nothing anyone applying should be overly concerned about as it only involves application of the necessary due diligence.