VAT pushes St Lucians away from gov't stimulus

The St Lucian government says misconceptions about the recently-introduced Value Added Tax (VAT) is to be blamed for the lukewarm response to its construction stimulus package.

The 18-month stimulus programme was launched in August and the government has been encouraging citizens to take advantage of the initiative, which has reduced the price of some building materials by as much as 41 per cent.

Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony says because the stimulus was launched before the October 1 date when the VAT was introduced, there is a misconception that there is a VAT charge on some construction items as of that date.

Be he says that is not the case and insists that building materials in the stimulus package will be exempt from the VAT.