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Pandemic Levy Misery

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Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced in the recent budget that a 15% pandemic contribution levy will be charged to companies deemed resilient that earned net income greater than 5 million dollars in 2020 ad 2021. Companies operating in telecommunications, retail sale of petroleum products by dealers, commercial banks, general and life insurance were targeted. The years 2020 and 2021 as we know were the pandemic that wreckrd havoc on global economies, some more than others. 

The blogmaster understands the challenging job the government has to manage a fragile economy, one that was in a precarious state before Covid 19 pandemic. Not to forget Hurricane Elsa, Soufriere volcano ash and of recent the effect the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Managing an open economy cannot be easy EXCEPT to armchair pundits.

Understandably spokespersons from the business community effected by the levy are not pleased. Coming relative soon after the debt restructure in 2018 when many of the companies effected by the pandemic levy had to take haircuts, the recent decision will not help to improve confidence level of doing business in Barbados. What other options did the government have to shore up finances?

There is the saying if you [WE] made your [OUR] bed, you [WE] have to lie in it.

Listen to Prime Minister Mia Mottley explain the Pandemic Levy:-

https://www.erienewsnow.com/clip/15304122/prime-minister-mia-mottley-announces-pandemic-contribution-levy

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110 responses to “Pandemic Levy Misery”

  1. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    Government BROKE AND FINANCES HAVE COLLAPSED. Beggars of LAST RESORT now extremely reluctant to advance additional financings. Government now borrowing from some very dubious sources, results will be disastrous.

    Government has for 50+ years stumbled along financially, now a whole host of issues have come on their finances all at once and there is NO SUSTAINABLE RECOVERY PLAN, that is other than raise taxes, bring in levies etc which are all non starters. Good thing is that BARBADOS can feed itself, he, ha.

  2. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Spirituality concepts
    I-Tinual Meditation

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ-uwOWuI-0&list=PL89AGbNFanX86sBkqRVcRjFT2wQtTgD82

  3. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Mystic-I
    Legalise the thing
    Forward with the Orthodox
    Back way with the Income Tax

  4. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    Barbados is sitting on a powder cake of division and confusion
    Won’t be long before the whole thing explodes

  5. David Avatar
    David

    The division may have its genesis at George Street. The other member of the duopoly looking in from the outside now begging for two Senate seats.

  6. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    News release
    March 17, 2022 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

    Today, the Government of Canada announced that effective April 1, 2022 at 12:01 AM EDT, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land or water. Fully vaccinated travellers seeking to arrive in Canada before April 1, 2022, must still have a valid pre-entry test.

    As a reminder, travellers arriving to Canada from any country, who qualify as fully vaccinated, may need to take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival if selected for mandatory random testing. Travellers selected for mandatory random testing are not required to quarantine while awaiting their test result.

    For partially or unvaccinated travelers who are currently allowed to travel to Canada, pre-entry testing requirements are not changing. Unless otherwise exempt, all travellers 5 years of age or older who do not qualify as fully vaccinated must continue to provide proof of an accepted type of pre-entry COVID-19 test result:

    a valid, negative antigen test, administered or observed by an accredited lab or testing provider, taken outside of Canada no more than one day before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or
    a valid negative molecular test taken no more than 72 hours before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry; or
    a previous positive molecular test taken at least 10 calendar days and no more than 180 calendar days before their initially scheduled flight departure time or their arrival at the land border or marine port of entry. It is important to note that positive antigen test results will not be accepted.
    All travellers continue to be required to submit their mandatory information in ArriveCAN (free mobile app or website) before their arrival in Canada. Travellers who arrive without completing their ArriveCAN submission may have to test on arrival and quarantine for 14 days, regardless of their vaccination status. Travellers taking a cruise or a plane must submit their information in ArriveCAN within 72 hours before boarding.

    Quotes
    “Adjustments to Canada’s border measures are made possible by a number of factors, including Canada’s high vaccination rate, the increasing availability and use of rapid tests to detect infection, decreasing hospitalizations and growing domestic availability of treatments for COVID-19. As vaccination levels and healthcare system capacity improve, we will continue to consider further easing of measures at the borders-and when to adjust those measures-to keep the people in Canada safe.”

    The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos
    Minister of Health

  7. John Avatar
    John

    HantsMarch 27, 2022 8:22 AM

    News release
    March 17, 2022 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada

    Today, the Government of Canada announced that effective April 1, 2022 at 12:01 AM EDT, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land or water. Fully vaccinated travellers seeking to arrive in Canada before April 1, 2022, must still have a valid pre-entry test

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    That means the number of tests here will fall but I suspect our positives will continue where they are for a while.

  8. John Avatar
    John

    Wily CoyoteMarch 27, 2022 7:01 AM

    Government BROKE AND FINANCES HAVE COLLAPSED. Beggars of LAST RESORT now extremely reluctant to advance additional financings. Government now borrowing from some very dubious sources, results will be disastrous.

    Government has for 50+ years stumbled along financially, now a whole host of issues have come on their finances all at once and there is NO SUSTAINABLE RECOVERY PLAN, that is other than raise taxes, bring in levies etc which are all non starters. Good thing is that BARBADOS can feed itself, he, ha.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    All Ms. Mockley has to do is to invoke the constitution and declare Parliament has been unconstitutional since 2018 and all agreements to repay are null and void!!

    Resign and ride off into the sunset.

  9. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Nobody Knows
    The Trouble
    I’ve Seen

    Nobody Knows

    The Trouble

    I’ve Seen
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdn3ubMRoME

  10. David Avatar
    David

    Cultural transformation

    There is a major difficulty any Government of Barbados will face. Any leadership of any organisation in Barbados, for that matter, will face it. It is the difficulty of the transformation of culture. This is not only because culture is hard to transform anywhere in the world. It is particularly difficult for the Caribbean.
    It is because Caribbean culture is a culture born of cultural genocide. Caribbean culture is a culture risen from African ashes.
    This phoenix is not yet fully formed, but it has been forced to take flight, with the weight of the shackles in which it was burnt still hanging from its wings.
    The phoenix is a creature from Greek mythology. It is a bird that would burn itself up in a selfmade fire, only to be born
    again and fly out of the same fire. The myth is believed to have been adopted, like much of Greek culture, from Egypt. Egypt is what the Greeks called the land of Khemet in Northern Africa. In Khemet, the Bennu bird would, similarly, fly out the fire of its own demise to be born again. It is said to live for 500 years until the cycle of death and rebirth comes again.
    Caribbean culture is a mixture of African, European and Asian cultures, thrown together in a pile due to transatlantic slavery and colonisation. In this pile, African culture was burnt to fuel European colonial expansion.
    Asian culture was added later to the mix to keep it burning. By the time the colonial era had burnt itself out, many believed that all traces of Africa except for the sun burnt skin of the people had been spent. However, out of the ashes of the British Empire nations like Barbados arose. We wish we could say that it was in a blaze of glory. No. It was more like a spark or promise. That spark has grown, though.
    The African complexion of the culture that emerged from the hearts of Caribbean people, burning with desire for independence, is now undeniable. It is like a child initially denied by its father but betraying its ancestry with familiar features.
    Fewer and fewer Barbadians are denying their African ancestry.
    However, though undeniable, the African nature of Barbadian society is not beyond disavowal.
    Disavowal is not denial. It is deeper.
    In pyschoanalytic theory, disavowal is the avoidance of an obvious truth because to fully embrace it would be too psychologically or mentally difficult.
    Accepting reality
    Fully embracing African ancestry and roots would mean fully questioning the elements of the plantation and colonialism that we hold dear or hold on to for dear life.
    It would mean accepting that much of the culture which we embrace as Caribbean or Barbadian was designed to fuel slavery, colonisation and the plantation. It would mean accepting that a full cultural transformation is necessary rather than convenient tweaks in policies
    or slightly new programmes and approaches.
    We emerged from the fire, not unscathed, and not unburdened.
    Chains don’t burn easily. Especially not mental and cultural ones. We have to vigorously shake them off.
    The Bennu was never supposed to fly again in the Caribbean. Any national bird that flew through this region was supposed to be fully European forever. The attempted cultural genocide failed. Africa is resurrected in the Caribbean Sea.
    What remains to be seen is if the chains that survived the ordeal of the rebirth can be let go so the bird can fly as high as possible. Despite its European and Asian aspects, the future of the Caribbean lies in its ability to give birth to a new African element. That is, to transform its culture through a self-made fire and rise again in the form of a new culture. It’s been about 500 years since Europe set fire to the region, ushering in the colonial era.

    Adrian Green is a communications specialist. Email: Adriangreen14 @gmail.com


    Source: Nation

  11. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    Your comment is awaiting moderation.

    Nobody Knows
    The Trouble
    I’ve Seen

    Nobody Knows

    The Trouble

        I’ve Seen

  12. angela cox Avatar
    angela cox

    DavidMarch 27, 2022 8:19 AM

    The division may have its genesis at George Street. The other member of the duopoly looking in from the outside now begging for two Senate seats.

    Xxxxx
    When is seeking clarification equates to begging
    Bet you don’t even understand the ramifications of Mottley intervening in those things for which she had no business in sticking her nose
    As yet Four months later and Barbados does not have a Republic Constitution to call its own
    Still relying on the colonial Constitution and govt lack of understanding of law struggles to get the law right
    The Dlp is absolutely right in asking for clarification especially while heading to court
    Govt back is being squeeze against the wall
    Parliament is unhinged from law left is right and right is left
    Law no longer matters

  13. John Avatar
    John

    DavidMarch 27, 2022 8:37 AM

    Cultural transformation

    There is a major difficulty any Government of Barbados will face. Any leadership of any organisation in Barbados, for that matter, will face it. It is the difficulty of the transformation of culture. This is not only because culture is hard to transform anywhere in the world. It is particularly difficult for the Caribbean.
    It is because Caribbean culture is a culture born of cultural genocide. Caribbean culture is a culture risen from African ashes.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    This is rubbish.

    You mean it it difficult to transform because it has been transformed already?

    Why was it so easy the transform the first time?

    Bajans are more American than many Americans and that transformation happened pretty easily.

  14. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “The attempted cultural genocide failed. Africa is resurrected in the Caribbean Sea.”

    not without a massive push back from comfortable Slaves, but the tide is turning for the determined, Slaves are now falling into the category of insignificant minority…

    …my next Kush Quarterly Magazine due out in days, touches on this topic as well…

  15. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    @ 🐇/🐰
    “This is rubbish.

    You mean it it difficult to transform because it has been transformed already?

    Why was it so easy the transform the first time?

    Bajans are more American than many Americans and that transformation happened pretty easily.”
    ——x—–
    That is rubbish.
    You do not understand the word transformation. Yes our society has evolved and made some changes over the years, but , I would argue, we have never undergone transformation.

    Please reread AG again. I have been very critical of him in the past, but he delivered today

    “Accepting reality
    Fully embracing African ancestry and roots would mean fully questioning the elements of the plantation and colonialism that we hold dear or hold on to for dear life.
    It would mean accepting that much of the culture which we embrace as Caribbean or Barbadian was designed to fuel slavery, colonisation and the plantation. It would mean accepting that a full cultural transformation is necessary rather than convenient tweaks in policies
    or slightly new programmes and approaches.”

  16. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    🐇/🐰
    Did you read the phrase “rather than convenient tweaks in policies”

    Some say that I overuse the word, but that phrase alone is a summary of all he wrote. Brilliant.

    Brilliant. He summarized the history of Barbados in just 6 words. I would add that these tweaks were not geared towards making things better but rather to make certain that the old system works with just the minimum of changes. We have been tweaked, not transformed.

    Two pleasant surprises for today…
    EA discards his self promotion notes
    AG discard his formulaic writing

  17. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    Gotta go…
    I have been tweaked so much I was transformed.
    Wife whispers, I jump. Looked into the mirror and could not recognize myself.

  18. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “Brilliant. He summarized the history of Barbados in just 6 words. I would add that these tweaks were not geared towards making things better but rather to make certain that the old system works with just the minimum of changes. We have been tweaked, not transformed.”

    the islands have to arrive at a place with INPUT from Afrikan descendants on a WAY FORWARD to arrive at a REAL TRASFORMATION….outside of the colonial stench….that is all they have always known…..the colonial minded cannot be a part of this,….they would revolute into the same old again…..minds are too weak….

  19. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    correction: TRANSFORMATION…

    Theo…there will be push back and fight back, not unlike what i experience on BU>…but they are easy to CRUSH……while moving forward….just roll RIGHT OVER THEM…

    Slaves are awful creatures when they want to remain Slaves…Harriet Tubman said it best….she would have saved more Slaves in her underground, if only they knew they were Slaves…am not that diplomatic, a steamroller works best…

  20. Like Magnificent a.k.a Magno – Yu Heard Formula: C₂₁H₃₀O₂ IUPAC ID: (−)-(6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl- 3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro- 6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol Avatar
    Like Magnificent a.k.a Magno – Yu Heard Formula: C₂₁H₃₀O₂ IUPAC ID: (−)-(6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl- 3-pentyl-6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro- 6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol

    Pandemic Life Misery
    Pandemic Levy Misery

    Ozen Dynamic Meditation 2.0
    STAGE 1
    CHAOTIC BREATH

    STAGE 2
    CATHARSIS

    STAGE 3
    HOO HOO HOO

    STAGE 4
    STOP!

    STAGE 5
    CELEBRATE

    Celebrating Life
    Make the most of your pandemic time / life / health / wellness / being
    with dynamic meditation


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpY3AWNLzbg

  21. John Avatar
    John

    TheOGazertsMarch 27, 2022 9:43 AM

    @ 🐇/🐰
    “This is rubbish.

    You mean it it difficult to transform because it has been transformed already?

    Why was it so easy the transform the first time?

    Bajans are more American than many Americans and that transformation happened pretty easily.”
    ——x—–
    That is rubbish.
    You do not understand the word transformation.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Laplace or Fourrier?

  22. Lawson Avatar
    Lawson

    The new republic has decided on transformation ,, when going to the lenders and benefactors palm up they will in future use their left hand instead of the right

  23. John Avatar
    John

    TheOGazertsMarch 27, 2022 9:54 AM

    Please reread AG again. I have been very critical of him in the past, but he delivered today

    “Accepting reality
    Fully embracing African ancestry and roots would mean fully questioning the elements of the plantation and colonialism that we hold dear or hold on to for dear life.
    It would mean accepting that much of the culture which we embrace as Caribbean or Barbadian was designed to fuel slavery, colonisation and the plantation. It would mean accepting that a full cultural transformation is necessary rather than convenient tweaks in policies
    or slightly new programmes and approaches.”

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    These are the bare statistics.

    In 1817 there were over 6,000 slave owners in Barbados and less than 300 plantations in Barbados.

    18,000 slaves lived in St. Michael, most in Bridgetown, more than all the slaves combined in St. Thomas, St. George and St. John, the agricultural parishes.

    In 1680 there were 40,000 slaves producing about 10K-15K tons of sugar.

    By 1817 the population had doubled but the output had remained the same.

    Anyone believing that all slaves in Barbados lived on some imaginary plantation cutting cane all day in the hot sun like in the movies can only write rubbish which is not worth reading.

    BTW, in case you did not realize, canes can be cut in only a few months of the year.

    They take a 14 months to mature after first planting.

    The majority of the land holdings in Barbados were small holdings like what the Ground Keeper’s parents bought almost 100 years ago I suspect when a larger plantation was subdivided back into the smaller lots that formerly existed.

    Holdings were consolidated into larger units once steam became established in the early 1900’s, long since slavery ended.

    So what do you think slaves did all day?

  24. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    “Anyone believing that all slaves in Barbados lived on some imaginary plantation cutting cane all day in the hot sun like in the movies can only write rubbish which is not worth reading.”

    ❤️ YES ❤️

    But, in the Western Slave Markets
    They were assets worth $1,000 ($75,000)
    Whites had more freedom than blacks
    is an understatement of the bleeding obvious
    They were OPP Other Peoples Property
    They were raped by perverts
    They were bred like animals
    Their children were robbed
    They were whipped
    They were mutilated
    They were hung
    They were worked
    with no pay

    freedom to be nobody!!!…

    https://www.ozenrajneesh.com/ozenrajneesh/downloads/GO-IN-GO-IN-GONE-osho.pdf

  25. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    😃
    I have not picked on Lawson for ages..
    What’s new with you
    Hopefully you have been transformed.

  26. Vincent Codrington Avatar
    Vincent Codrington

    What does cultural transformation have to do with the Pandemic Levy? Can a culture be transformed or does it evolve? Even if we could transform it, why do we need to? What are the benefits to this current generation? Can one really separate man from culture? What useful property does culture have? Just seeking clarity and the connection with the Pandemic Levy.

  27. TheOgazerts Avatar
    TheOgazerts

    🐇/🐰
    “So what do you think slaves did all day?”

    Sadly, I seem to have lost my ability to recognize AC’s poetry, but the Good Lord has given me another gift… the ability to recognize your plea for help… My usual advice would have been to ask a person to Google but this is too great an opportunity to let pass.

    As you pointed out, the amount of work required to produce sugar varied throughout the year, but the down times should not be seen as a vacation. There was additional work to be done on the farm. Give a man a source of free labor to do wish as he pleases and see how creative he can become.

    There was also a division of labor where some worked on the land and some worked in the house. Some women were bred to produce more slaves and some were used by the slave masters (e.g. Thomas Jefferson) to bed whenever they please. Some may have acquired a skill so that they could help with the production of sugar or repair of the ‘farm’.

    Slavery is not the nice working arrangement that you seem to think it was. A quaker passing out hymnals to slaves (who could not read), Sunday meetings in their Sunday best and some singing, don;t worry be happy.
    Notice that I have not dealt with the barbaric treatment that was often handed out.

  28. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    I AM Dancehall Roots and Culture Murderer
    Blacks can dance their heartache for liberation of their souls
    and others can too with Jah Shaka in London Jamaica Africa
    Ultimate fragrance of music 🎶🎶🎶

    Anyway here is something else
    Nataraj Meditation

    Instructions: The meditation lasts 65 minutes and has three stages.
    First Stage: 40 minutes With eyes closed, dance as if possessed. Let your unconscious take over completely. Do not control your movements or be a witness to what is happening. Just be totally in the dance.
    Second Stage: 20 minutes Keeping your eyes closed, lie down immediately. Be silent and still.
    Third Stage: 5 minutes Dance in celebration and enjoy.

    Some suggestions from Osho for this meditation: “Forget the dancer, the center of the ego. Become the dance. That is the meditation. Dance so deeply that you completely forget that you are dancing and begin to feel that you are the dance. The division must disappear; then it becomes a meditation. If there is division, then it is an exercise: good, healthy, but it cannot be said to be spiritual. It is just a simple dance. Dance is good in itself. As far as it goes, it is good. After it, you will feel fresh, young. But it is not yet meditation. The dancer must go, until only the dance remains.

    “Don’t stand aside, don’t be an observer – participate!”

    “And be playful. Remember this word playful. With me, it is very basic.”

    “Dance is one of the deepest meditations possible, for the simple reason that when dance reaches to its climax the dancer disappears. There is only dance – there is nobody dancing.”

    “If you can dance in such a way that only the dance remains and the dancer disappears, one day suddenly you will see the dancing has also disappeared. And then there is an awareness that is not of the mind and not of the ego. In fact, that awareness cannot be practiced; something else has to be done as a preparation, and that awareness comes to you. You have just to become available for it.”

  29. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    .the colonial minded cannot be a part of this,….they would revolute into the same old again…..minds are too weak….

  30. Lawson Avatar
    Lawson

    Yes theO been a little while, very busy trying to get things out of the way before cropover

  31. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    We had to know something like this was coming?
    I had previously tossed out a levy on all those with a threshold minimum in cash, with progressive increases.
    They opted for the corporate only route, and selected sectors.
    A historical challenge elsewhere, has been the removal of these one-time charges. They had to get some extra revenue from somewhere. Yet, the maffematics suggests this levy may not be enough.
    We shall await pending decisions re the IMF Program. At least the lower, and slower, rate of interest increases elsewhere, plays to a borrower’s (B’dos) benefit.

  32. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    TheO,

    Adrian has not changed. It justs takes you a while to read and digest.

    Don’t waste time with Rabbit’s holes! Nobody else does these days.

    Forget Lawson too! He has white man cataracts too.

    He cannot see that asking for backpay is different from borrowing.

    Those tired narratives are being exposed for the whole world to see.

    Only a pathetic fool clings on for dear life while monarchs are slapped with the truth in Jamaica!

    Apologies not accepted!

  33. Donna Avatar
    Donna

    https://youtu.be/8aAxZSl7x68

    This is how the white racists still keep black people down. They’re not behind on their bills….but they soon will be!

  34. David Avatar
    David

    @NO

    You give holders of government securities who are majority middle class and senior citizens, now you would expect a levy on same group who prefer to remain liquid due to debt restructure? A classic case of ‘double dipping’?

  35. Tony Avatar
    Tony

    “A classic case of ‘double dipping’?

    Xxxxx

    Double dip on this: Rihanna’s Fenty IPO ?

    On Monday, March 6, Fenty Beauty officially launched in Ulta stores nationwide. The recent expansion comes after the first brick-and-mortar stores of Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty brand opened their doors in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Houston. Stores in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. are set to open in the coming months.
    Reports are now stating that Rih is working with a team of advisors on an initial public offering (IPO), which values the lingerie brand at $3 billion. Though Savage X hasn’t made a final decision on the IPO and its adjoining plans or confirmed these rumors, the company is reportedly working with Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to make the listing available on the stock market later this year.

    In January 2022, the company raised $125 million in a funding round led by Neuberger Berman with participation from prior investors, L Catterton, Avenir Growth Capital, Sunley House Capital Management, and Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners, as reported by Bloomberg.

    Rih’s other business ventures include the aforementioned, industry-shifting Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, and the former high-end luxury brand, FENTY, previously under fashion conglomerate, LVMH.

    Bajans, Get ready to invest from the ground up…

    My launch prediction is $34…..

  36. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    Vincent CodringtonMarch 27, 2022 11:35 AM #: “What does cultural transformation have to do with the Pandemic Levy? Just seeking clarity and the connection with the Pandemic Levy.”

    @ Mr. Codrington

    I thought by now you would’ve realized how CERTAIN contributions use EVERY blog as an OPPORTUNITY to ‘push’ their PARTICULAR AGENDAS on BU, while attempting to ‘force them down the throats’ of other contributors.

    Perhaps it’s best to SCROLL PASS the claptrap they often peddle in this forum…… and ‘stick’ to the substantive topic.

  37. Tony Avatar
    Tony

    @ SCROLL PASS

    “I thought by now you would’ve realized how CERTAIN contributions use EVERY blog as an OPPORTUNITY to ‘push’ their PARTICULAR AGENDAS on BU, while attempting to ‘force them down the throats’ of other contributors.”
    Xxxxx

    Spouge, Soca & Calypso Wee Culture.

    BU Community subject to Jamaican “dub reggae”..Daily???

    No…

  38. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    @Tony
    Why $35?
    https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/11/how-an-ipo-is-valued.asp

  39. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    It is time for our masses to finally tighten their belts instead of always living at the expense of our honourable ministers and our businessmen.

    Since 1966, they have had a sweet life of singing, dancing and plenty of sleep. Good to know that now our Supreme Leader is ruling the island with a hard hand to drive out the laziness of the masses.

    I therefore back the plan to go into the next IMF programme without reservation. If necessary, an IMF programme until doomsday. Our masses must finally understand that our island is as financially dependent on foreign aid as a drug addict is on drugs.

  40. David Avatar
    David

    Will the decision to effect a pandemic levy negatively impact the investment climate in Barbados?

  41. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    No, because all states have to raise taxes because of the pandemic. We are losing competitiveness in absolute terms, but not relative to other states.

    Of course, austerity must not be limited to companies. Our honourable government should finally cut social spending, wages and pensions. The wage increase of 5 per cent for civil servants four years ago was total insanity from an economic point of view. We should not only reverse it, but permanently reduce civil servants’ salaries by 5+0 per cent, i.e. by 50 per cent.

  42. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    @David
    Direct hits are the last resort.
    When public wealth funds, or large companies are ‘special taxed’ or forced to write down, individuals suffer loss indirectly. Dividends in which they or public funds are invested may be reduced, or employment (costs) may be altered, without drawing a direct link.

  43. David Avatar
    David

    @NO

    You did say that the levy may not be enough to close the revenue gap.

    #enguard!

  44. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David
    “…close the revenue gap”. LOL ha ha ha !!!
    ~~~~~~~~
    Boss, exactly what did you expect our donkeys being dragged through the grass to look like?
    Even many countries where the people have ACTUALLY been trying earnestly and diligently to be productive, resourceful, to sacrifice for the common good, and to put their heads together for better times …have been seeing Hell…

    What is your honest expectation in a situation…
    …where even though we have been spared ANY serious trauma for three generations now…
    …where we have been blessed with natural climatic and topographical attributes that are unmatched,
    …where we probably had a GLOBAL head start in mass educational reform
    YET…
    we have somehow managed to become mendicant beggars, whose main ’selling’ point now is that some rich benefactors are still willing to lend us their hard-earned money…. knowing we cannot pay them back…(at least not in cash, we are actually selling our grandchildren into financial slavery )

    Shiite Boss…
    We can’t even feed ourselves with the SAME ‘fields and hills’ that made the old Colonialists wealthy to this day.

    You realize of course that this is just the beginning don’t you?
    It is only OBVIOUS…..

  45. Tony Avatar
    Tony

    TheOGazerts March 27, 2022 7:23 PM

    @Tony
    Why $35?

    Xxxxx

    Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty a game changer with the times.

    Victoria’s Secret’s revenue was $6.79 billion last year, while Savage X Fenty’s revenue is presumably in the low hundred millions. The potential IPO valuation of Savage X Fenty brings it to a similar market cap as Victoria’s Secret, which is currently valued at $4.22 billion. “Savage X Fenty’s ability to continue growth will hinge on its ability to live on beyond the celebrity and grow upon its operational successes, and that’s hard for any brand,”

    I’m simply doubling VSCO’S initial public offering of $17.00 per share October 1995
    That’s my take..

  46. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “We can’t even feed ourselves with the SAME ‘fields and hills’ that made the old Colonialists wealthy to this day”

    and they are very proud of that fact, so try not to take that away from them…

  47. David Avatar
    David

    A time for goodwill
    BARBADOS IS IN a severe fiscal bind after two unprecedented years – 2020 and 2021 – caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
    Such is the plight of many other countries which have also been pounded by the virus.
    How to recover from such difficult circumstances has therefore captured the attention and imagination of economists, financial gurus and politicians. The decision by the Mia Amor Mottley administration to introduce a retroactive 15 per cent Pandemic Contribution Levy during this month’s Budget is the type of measure that needed careful consideration before implementation. The expected income gains could well turn out to be long-term economic and development pains.
    While there may be little sympathy for the commercial banks, insurance companies and telecommunications providers, the understood and accepted practice is that these private sector companies are in business to make a profit. It is accepted that profits give a return to investors, pay corporation taxes, give to charitable causes and most importantly, reinvest in expansion and even new projects. In some cases, dividends have to be paid overseas that are not always promptly settled because of foreign exchange issues.
    We must not overlook the practical assistance from the telecommunications companies to students in the form of tablets and the upgrade and expansion of network capacity to allow commerce, education and many aspects of the public sector to operate remotely. Thankfully, we did not hear of these same companies
    sending home any of their workers during the height of the pandemic.
    Flow and Digicel, as the two key telecoms providers in our market, are capable of defending their interests but we cannot ignore how they have agreed to cut roaming charges across CARICOM since many customers need such services which go beyond often unreliable WhatsApp service.
    We imagine the Government would have sought the guidance of tax and legal experts on this COVID-19 financial measure and what it will cost businesses that have already completed their previous year’s audits and financial allocations.
    Barbados cannot afford a situation where businesses affected by this tax measure decide against new upgrades and expansions or to lay off staff. At a time when there is an urgent need for new investments to spur economic activity, these companies are all critical to the country’s recovery.
    The banks are still the main lending agencies for commercial activity and driving innovations in the fin-tech sector, while the telecommunications operators are required to invest in new projects to ensure greater connectivity and support the ease of doing business nationwide.
    The Government by its action will create uneasiness with the business community, but this is a time when there is a need for cooperation and goodwill.
    Barbados cannot afford a situation where businesses affected by this tax measure decide against new upgrades and expansions or to lay off staff.

    Source: Nation

  48. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    What a display of all-round mendicancy…..

    Firstly. If those companies which did exceptionally well during the last two years of economic idiocy (led by The WHO and articulated by the government) had ANY sense of fairness, compassion or community well-being, they would have INITIATED some kind of community relief sponsorship program – probably even on a greater scale than that contemplated by the Budget measure.
    These damn people were allowed to remain open when small operators were FORCED to shut their businesses.
    Such an initiative could have been PRIVATELY executed, and hence have some chance of success – as opposed to putting the money in the damn ‘Consolidated Fund’ where it will just disappear into the graft abyss.

    Secondly
    A wise leadership would have sat down PRIVATELY with those businesses and explained the facts of life… AND then let the companies EXECUTE the program as altruistic initiatives to assist small businesses. (Which were hugly UNFAIRED during the PLandemic.)
    Instead we have had the usual ‘bull in a China Shop’ approach…

    Thirdly
    What a bunch of CRAP from the Nation. Talking about how ‘kind’ the telecoms companies are to reduce roaming rates and give away obsolete tablets… and should be therefore allowed to send their PLandemic profits overseas..
    WhatsApp, Zoom, Teams and dozens of other options are out there FORCING the crooks to rethink their models. Only a clown would conclude that these roaming reductions are altruistic in nature…

    But then again, the foreign OCM /Nation should have been one of those made to contribute…..

  49. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    A paid for editorial?

  50. African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    African Online Publishing Copyright ⓒ 2022. All Rights Reserved

    “What a display of all-round mendicancy….”

    Black businesses can rise from these ashes…..it’s time for majority businesses to take over current, and finally add, progressive, and MORE sectors…

    ..instead of the narrow go nowhere, benefit the few shite models in place for over half century…controlled by local, regional and foreign crook brigades…

    let the greedy bottom feeding locusts on two legs.. aka parasites…. moan and groan…and attempt to tief more…they cannot stop any changes…

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