Spare parts dealers upbeat despite delay in tax cut implementation

The Association of spare parts dealers at Abossey Okai in Accra says members do not feel betrayed if they do not enjoy the tax cuts announced in the 2017 budget immediately.

The traders were thrown in a fix when it emerged that they may not enjoy any tax cuts due to the rules and regulations regarding the common external tariff of the Economic Community of West African States, Ecowas.

There were agitations from importers on Monday, April 3 after news broke that the spare parts dealers may not enjoy tax cuts as promised by government in the 2017 budget statement, at least not during the tenure of this government.

A review of the tariff can only be made after a minimum of five years. But speaking with 3FM BUSINESS, Chairman of the Association Joseph Paddy says they do not feel betrayed by this development.

“We do not feel betrayed; we know government has goodwill for us that was why it was even announced. “We trust the government and we know that these kinds of reliefs go through processes before they are implemented, so we are not disturbed,” he hinted.

Mr Paddy added that his outfit is hopeful and will continue to engage government on a mutual agreement.

“We are too much hopeful, where we have gotten to. We are hopeful. We are still discussing with government to make sure both parties are covered.

At the end of the day, it’s the consumer that has to be protected from abuse of these exemptions,” he assured. Meanwhile, checks by 3FM Business also revealed that some dealers have already reduced the prices of some of their wares even before the implementation of the tax cuts, due to the open market policy.