Government puts Chamber leases in ‘Park’

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce (CIC) has alerted its business partners that Government has a pending decision to withdraw the Chamber’s leases for the Kingstown and Arnos Vale car parks.{{more}}

In a letter dated Tuesday, July 20, the Chamber disclosed that every five years there has been an assignment of lease renewal from Government – an arrangement which started in 2000 when it conceptualized and developed operations of car park facilities at the E.T Joshua Airport and at the piece of land boundaried by the Main Administrative Building, Kingstown.

The Chamber stated that in response to its request this year to Government for renewal of leases for the two car parks, the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dr.Ralph Gonsalves, “has indicated a pending decision to withdraw the leases from the Chamber”.

“As many may agree, the SVG Chamber of Industry and Commerce continues to serve the business community now more than ever in promoting positive economic growth and in responding to the issues surrounding business development.

“However, our strength in continuing to fulfill the mandate depends wholly on our financial sustainability. If we are to remain financially sustainable, the implication of the withdrawal of the lease assignment by the Government at this time would most likely be a considerable increase in membership fees,” said the Chamber’s letter.

The situation prompted the Chamber to call its business partners to a special meeting on Wednesday, July 21, to discuss the issue. An executive meeting which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday this week did not come off.

When contacted, Shafia London, Executive Director of the CIC, said a press conference will be called on the matter. She noted that the Chamber has not received any official correspondence from the Government and “everything” so far has been informal.

SEARCHLIGHT was unable to contact Prime Minister Gonsalves because he is out of state.

At press time Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary, Susan Dougan, disclosed that a response has been issued to the Chamber and they will receive it before the end of the week.

She did not disclose the contents of the letter. (HN)