Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
March 27, 2008 (CUOPM)
Legislation providing for stiffer fines for selling food items higher than the controlled price should soon be headed for the law books.
This was one of the decisions taken during Wednesday’s meeting of the St. Kitts and Nevis Cabinet, which was informed of initiatives aimed at reducing and stabilising the prices of certain food products in the twin-island Federation.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Her Excellency Ambassador Roslyn Hazelle informed the Cabinet that two experienced officials have been employed to lead the Department of Consumer Affairs in overseeing the present initiatives.
Cabinet was also advised that the Department of Consumer Affairs would shortly be in a position to more closely monitor the price of commodities that comprise the basket of goods implemented during 2007.
Cabinet approved an amendment in the law to allow for greater flexibility in controlling of the price of goods, mainly by encouraging importers to source goods more cost-efficiently. Cabinet also agreed that monetary penalties for violating the price control laws need to be increased.