Prime Minister focuses on economy

While the leader of the Opposition was discovering that VAT was indeed, a killa, the Prime Minister appeared on television to explain how he was going to make good on his campaign promise to abolish the infamous tax. Appearing Thursday night on Channel Five’s “One On One with Stuart Leslie” Said Musa focussed on his administration’s plans to get the economic train back on track.

Said Musa, Prime Minister

“Clearly to my mind the number one priority because it is the one that is of greatest demand right now is that people need work. The problem with the economy under the U.D.P. administration especially in the last year 1997-98 was that the government began just choking the private sector so you got no new investments, less jobs, unemployment grew, the crime situation got out of control and the whole thing deteriorated.

To stimulate growth a government has to take some calculated risks, not reckless chances now, but calculated risks having faith and confidence in the people. They are the ones who will generate this economy and get it really moving, but we must give them the incentive and the opportunity to do so.”

Q: “In the social contract one of the major promises you had there was the abolition of VAT as the People’s United Party’s commitment. I think you reiterated that in your speech in Belmopan at the opening of parliament. In addition to that you mentioned removing other burdensome taxes. And your critics keep saying move the VAT now, tomorrow because you promised that you were going to remove VAT. How do you respond to that?”

Said Musa

“Our commitment to abolish VAT stands; absolutely no change about that and we will abolish the VAT.”

Musa declined to give a specific date for VAT’s abolition, saying that it will be done “shortly” and within the context of a complete overhaul of the nation’s tax system.