Suva Retailers Association is calling on the tax man to drop tariffs on white goods.
According to Association President Himmat Lodhia – it’s one of their main submissions for the 2013 Budget.
Examples of white goods are electric kettles, gas stove or oven, irons etc.
“All these things are attracting very high tariffs and very high duty rates – 32% plus 15% VAT so those are probably some of the avenues that we will be probably discussing.”
The Association has a budget submission Committee and they’re working on ways to reduce the burden on consumers.
“Consumers are paying a loading of 32% on items liked TV and all that for instance and 15% VAT so when we compare that with other countries Fiji is electronic items are more expensive so that’s one of the elements but there maybe a whole lot of other things.”
Lodhia adds – the drop in taxes will eventually mean bring down the retail price of white goods.
