By Prior Beharry
THE Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) says that it will meet the commitment to have for sale Value Added Tax (VAT) –free items from November 1 as announced in the 2021/2022 Budget.
A release on Friday noted that the members of the association were working assiduously to meet the commitment stated by the finance minister in the Budget read on October 4. The fiscal package has been passed in both houses of Parliament.
SATT also noted about problems with the supply of goods.
It stated, “We recognise that exigencies continue to play a major role in the supply chain placing particular strain on global routes of shipping lanes worldwide contributing to the container crisis that plays a key role in the demand and supply model that places emphasis on the determination of food prices as we note that Trinidad and Tobago are a net importer of finished goods as well as inputs of production.
Items that will carry no VAT from November 1 include:
- Oil: Vegetable/soya bean, coconut, canola;
- Ghee;
- Peanut butter;
- Black pepper and other spices;
- Family cereal/cereals for children/ hot cereal oats/steel cut oats;
- Milk substitute, condensed milk;
- Instant/ground coffee;
- Black/green tea (3kg and under);
- Orange/apple/fresh juice;
- Still water (bottled);
- Canned tuna, mackerel, peas, beans, corn, mixed vegetables;
- Mayonnaise, ketchup;
- Roti skin;
- Soup (packaged);
- Geera (crushed or ground);
- Soya: chunks/minced;
- Ground dhal;
- Cheese slices;
- Table butter;
- Meat: pigtail, sausages (canned or otherwise packaged), seasoned meat. ham/turkey slices, chicken lunch meats, bologna;
- Biscuits and crackers.
