New Social Security Building Under Construction
Photo By Erasmus Williams
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
January 20, 2010 (CUOPM)
A concession package for the construction industry, designed to strengthen the local sector capabilities, improve the services offered by contractors, increase efficiency in the delivery of products and ultimately reduce labour cost through competition and increased efficiency is now in place.
The St. Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA) said the initiative was first viewed by Cabinet in September of 2009 and approved pending the review of a number of issues that had to be addressed before the commencement of the plan.
“After review, the Public Works Department and the Development Control and Planning Board, required the St. Kitts”“Nevis Building Contractors Association to develop a grading system for their members. This grading system would give the general public a better idea of the level of work each individual contractor is capable of managing. Thus equipping the general public with valuable information that may be used during their decision making process,” SKIPA said.
The SKIPA statement said that both the Public Works Department and the Development Control and Planning Board are satisfied with the grading system developed by the Building Contractors Association.
This list can be obtained by contacting the St. Kitts”“Nevis Building Contractors Association, the Public Works Department or the Development Control and Planning Board.
Contractors qualifying for benefits under this retooling initiative must have a valid business licence, be in good standing with the Inland Revenue Department, be in good standing with Social Security and be in good standing with the St. Kitts – Nevis Building Contractors Association.
The concession package provides two tiers of duty relief for qualifying contractors. Tier One provides relief from import duty only requiring the contractor to pay Consumption Tax and the Customs Service Charge.
While Tier Two provides relief from Import Duty and Consumption Tax requiring the contractor to pay a 12% Customs Service Charge. Each item approved under this initiative has an attached quantity and an expiration date of either (5) five years or (10) ten years.
The concessions that are valid for a 5 year period will end on 31st December, 2015 and the concessions that are valid for a 10 year period will end on 31st December 2020.