In light of concerns expressed by local businessmen that Chinese merchants are not paying Value Added Tax (VAT), the Dominica Association of Industry & Commerce (DAIC) in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy at Morne Daniel, Canefield will this morning begin a three-day workshop aimed at transferring knowledge and skills to Chinese Traders and other non-compliant merchants in the areas of Customs, VAT, Inland Revenue and employment procedures and practices.
A press release from the DAIC states that “the workshop arose out of concerns expressed by the local merchant community that there now exist an unfair playing field because some foreign merchants do not comply with compulsory regulations”.
“The session this morning will focus on Customs requirements for importers and will be led by two senior officials from the Customs & Excise Department. The workshop, which begins at 9:00am, is opened and free to all business persons and is being held at the PSU building on Valley Road, Roseau,” the DAIC press release states.
The Government of Dominica is supporting the workshop by making it available a local Chinese interpreter, the DAIC said.
Don’t blame the Chinese it is human nature to get away with what you can. Dominicans would love to have it sweet like the Chinese! Blame the authorities for not enforcing the law of the land! Corruption of the highest order! People stand up before it’s too late.
ED
I HOPE THE ( D A I C) AND GOVT WICKET KIPPER MOST UNDERSTAND WE NOT FOULS
NOR CRAZY NATION I AM POSITIVE WE ARE BUSINESS PEOPLE AND WE KNOW
INTERNATIONAL NOHOW SO BE CARE FULL EVERY CHINESE IS COMPUTER EXPERT?
PLEASE INFORM D A I C AND THE GOVT,TO ASK THE CHINESE PRESENTLY IN DOMINICA TO
ARRANGE A WORK SHOP FOR DEM; THEY ARE THE ONES THAT`S INCOMPETENT? AND
D`ONT TRY TO FOOL THE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE DOMINICA THANKS FOR THOSE OF YOU
THAT CANT NOT BE FOOL BY THE MIST LEADING PEOPLE”. GOD BLESS D/A.
Their`s no place for ( D A I C) NOW? Let DEM FIX THE MESS THEY HELP CREATED AND
D`ONT PLAY GAMES YOU ALL KNOW VERY WELL WHAT GOING ON IN D/A ( D A I C?)???????
FOR YOU AND YOUR GOVT TO ORDER THOSE CHINESE TO PROVIDE THE NATIONS
WITH PROPER SALES RECEIPT,THE VAT/ THE TAX PEOPLE KNOW VERY WELL WHAT TO
DO? WE CANT BE FOUL “THEY ONLY KNOW THE LOCAL BUSINESS PEOPLE.
SHAME ON THEM ? $$$$$$$$$ SPEAKING. AN COMFORT`S?
What are you talking about, “A reader”? DAIC created a mess? Sometimes, I say it would have been better had God made some people dumb. The power of speech and ability to write will take some of us to hell.
The situation with the Chinese is a Gov’t problem. The DAIC is trying to level the trading ground because the businessmen can’t just sit there and wait on Government.
Unfortunately this is common practice all over the world. For Chinese money is god and they rarely comply with any requirement of their host country to pay tax. As a result they are regularly thrown out of some South Pacific Islands for sheer greed.
In China tax evasion is also very common and giving to charity is not.
Its certainly not a case of not understanding english. Test them by trying to shortchange them and see what I mean.
I think they should be investigated and asked to pay there dues because Ignorance of the Law is no Excuse. Before a Dominican leaves Dominica he has to go get an income tax clearance and has to pay his tax before he leaves. Even if it was knowingly owed or not. I do not see the reason why they are just now telling the or sensitizing the Chinese on this situation and not having them pay what they owe.
SO , IF I WENT INTO A CHINESE RESTAURENT, ATE A MEAL ,THEN DECIDED THAT I WASNT AWARE I HAD TO PAY , THEN I SAID TO THEM , WELL LETS DISCUSS IT , ,,,,FOR THREE DAYS , DOES ANY BODY THINK THAT THE CHINESE WOULD NOT KNOW HOW TO CALL THE POLICE?
THIS INITIATIVE BY THE DAIC IS BAFFLING TO SAY THE LEAST , THOUGH NOT SURPRISING ,CONSIDERING THE APOLOGIST AT THE HEAD OF DAIC EXECUTIVE ,THIS PRACTICE OF NOT PAYING THE VAT , SS , AND OTHER TAXES SHOULD BE DEALT WITH BY THE APPROPRIATE GOVT AUTHORITIES ,SHOULDNT THERE BE AN INDOCTRINATION EXERCISE DONE BEFORE EVERY FOREIGN BUISNESS IS ALLOWED TO OPERATE IN DOMINICA ?THE REVERSE WOULD DEFINITLY TOLERATED IN CHINA
Dominican Buisnesses import goods and customs on their backs to pay high duty. Inland revenue also make sure that these buisnesses pay their vat. As soon as a Dominican open a store social security is on there backs to pay ss for their workers. I wonder if the chinese buisnesses are paying their yearly registation fee.The chinese have it sweeter than Dominicans..No wonder Their goods are so cheap.These people are so clever. A Bet you when They ask them to pay their vat they are going to pretend they don’t speak english.Only when making money they speak english and when they have to pay up. They don’t speak a word of english.So please Dominican buisnesses it was about time you speak up.Glad you did.
A significant number of Dominicans themselves are directly or indirectly supporting the Chinese to do whatever they want to do in Dominica, Whether they break law not paying VAT, whether the businessmen dump cheap inferior goods on us, or build cement plant on the banks of Layou River without first obtaining permission from Planning Division, Govt. has shown that it is powerless to confront or take action when Chinese act against the Laws of Dominica. They say that China giving us money so do not touch them or say anything against them. Many citizens follow their leader and Party and act the same way. Don’t dare say anything against the Chinese even they do wrong. Dominicans have become 10th. class citizens in their own land. Many like it so. It is OK even we get kicked, China giving us de money. Money comes before we Dominicans. Money before human Beings. Under this present regime, Dominica is sold. The country under foreign control. Dominica sold long time.
To all my Dominican brothers and sisters, try not paying VAT, just try and you will see. The full weight of the law on your chest right way. For the Chinese no problem. MONEY WALK BS TALK. MONEY MAKE THE DEVIL DANCE. Chinese not paying VAT, DAIC, GOVT., VAT UNIT in the Ministry of Finance, Customs and Excise call them to workshop? Dominicans not paying VAT is court, fines, jail for them. Chinese are protected, aided and abetted by, you know who, so they will do more than that. (One) 1 China Policy. No Dominica Policy. WHERE THE FENCE IS LOW, THE COW WILL JUMP. WHERE IGNORANCE AND FEAR EXIST, THE NATION WILL PERISH.
I am amazed at what I am reading. All civilized Democratic countries, including Communist China have regulations in place pertaining to the establishment of businesses in their countries. If the Government Agencies responsible, have determined that established businesses, whether local or foreign have not been acting in compliance with the LAW, how is runiing a 3 day workshop going to stop this practice?, and result in the COLLECTION OF MUCH NEEDED TAX REVENUE. If you have allowed all these businesses to start & operate a business without ensuring I AM INFORMED OF THE “RULES & REGULATIONS WHEN I START MY BUSINESS, WHY SHOULD I PAY YOU ANYTHING AFTER THE FACT”. As a previous writer noted, it seems to me that depending on who you are, you are allowed to break the law & plead ignorance later.
I think it is time that Dominicans, who truly love their Country to take a SERIOUS STAND against those who seem intent on SELLING OUR BIRTHRIGHT for personal gain.
Another classic case of “CLOSING THE BARN DOOR, AFTER THE HORSES HAVE ESCAPED” ! (The normal “modus operandi” of our so called leaders).
Things would be soooo different if it were a local business man. Long time lawyer letter reach on you… So it goes, squeeeeeezzzzeee the local, sell us out to the Chinese…..
No VAT , NO SS, duty free concessions they want to tell you how much they want to pay for goods and service, everything is a haggle for them……. we finish…
NEXT LEVEL… chink eyey telling us what to do….. have more rights and access to incentives than we do…..
Was that part of the ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ giving the Chinese business VAT Exemption? Answers please.
Why are we Dominicans complaining now about work.We wanted a fee road built. We are getting it.
There is a price to pay For fee Things.No Work For Dominicans. There is also a Price to pay for cheap things. That means one Dominican working in a chinese store all the rest chinese.From now on when anyone tell us That we will be getting free things or cheap things. we have to ask them what ‘s the catch.
So if the local businessmen did not express concerns that Chinese merchants are not paying Value Added Tax (VAT), the Dominica Association of Industry & Commerce (DAIC), the DLP GOVT., the Ministry of Finance and those working in the VAT Unit, Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise Division, would never investigate, and the Chinese businessmen would continue to deprive the State’s Treasury of hundreds of thousands of dollars that should be paid?
Could DAIC explain to the Dominican public what the workshop will achieve? Shouldn’t the VAT Unit and the Ministry of Finance take legal action against those Chinese businessmen who do not and have not complied with the compulsory Regulations? Ignorance of the law is no excuse. When Dominican businessmen or people, whenever they break the law, they are brought to the courts. Dominicans are jailed for stealing a packet of Crix biscuit, for anything, for embezzlement of private and public funds, but Chinese go scot free for not paying VAT. All the Chinese businessmen know that if they operate any business in any foreign country, the first thing they should find out is under what laws of the land they operate. That is basic business knowledge. Who say the Chinese do not know that?.
DAIC indicates that In collaboration with the Chinese Embassy at Morne Daniel, Canefield a three-day workshop aimed at transferring knowledge and skills to Chinese Traders and other non-compliant merchants in the areas of Customs, VAT, Inland Revenue and employment procedures and practices would be conducted. Chinese business men have been operating and doing business, opening stores all over Roseau for years. Why was that information and knowledge not transferred long time ago? So because the Chinese are giving Dominica dollars in assistance, the laws do not pertain to them? Dominicans is that what is going on? While Dominican ordinary citizens, the youth, face punishment, jail, fines for breaking the law, the Chinese are brought to a workshop for knowledge and instructions after they break the laws of Dominica. This country has been taken over, BIG TIME Respect for our sovereignty gone Dominicans have no control over the affairs of their homeland anymore. For a few dollars more, Our NATURE ISLE HAS BEEN SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER.
let me tell al u something, this ppl are not stupid before they come to dominica they read the law & the organization of the country & they saw dat the law on the country is so POOR sorry to say dat but it’s true, they exploiting us, they exploiting the country, someone work for 8Ec an hour and that same money cannot even buy a pound and a half of wings!!! it’s we , the gvt dat have to sit down & revalue our rights, !!!! instead of talking blah blah bullshit!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the global trend. Chinese nationals are the most clever business people, they don’t do business and don’t realize profits, even if it means cheating the country or state of its revenues. Imagine they live in the same stores that they operate. They know how to survive and eliminate their competitors. Better late than never that the authorities like VAT, DSS, and Customs educate them and then have them comply.
On another note: I wonder if the Bureau of standards know the adresses of all those Chinese Stores operating in the city selling sub standard products to poor Dominicans. Bureaus of Standars time to wake up and show what you are doing.
Next level right
They might be ripping off the customs as well!!!
@Dominican in the BVI:
@The Third Side:
This relates to the business that are all over Dominica, not the road workers
I actually only know one chinese owned business in Dominica that actually charges VAT. The others dont even want to give a receipt much less have a VAT registration certification. They dont charge nor pay VAT. SHAME on the VAT and Inland Revenue Divisions because no Dominican owned company would have gotten away with not complying for this long. Our local businesses are falling apart and still paying their dues (at least most of them) while those Chinese companies coming and taking over the country and nothing is said or done…SHAME..smdh
On the comments about Social Security well the employees that work for these companies would share the blame if they working for them and ensuring that something going towards SS for their future.
WM excellent point made in refrence to DSS. From what i know is there are many chinese merchant have chinese staff working for them in stores, warehouse and factories they dont pay social security because there salry is paid in china which is wrong they cannot be working here and dont pay there dues in Dominica. WORST OF ALL SOME OF THEM HAVE RESIDENCE PERMIT AND THEY ARE WORKING IN THE STORE that is illlegal also.
These chinese businesses have been given seminar about laws and regulations of Dominica.
What makes DAIC or the Chinese embassy belive that these people dont know the law because they dont understand english ( which is abslute nonsence all the chinese owners and there staff understand because they have beenliving in Dominica for so long doing business in english speaking customers)
These chinese businesses know how to manipulate our system and with this seminar they will learn even better
Dominicans have lost many jobs for example . Today where ever there is a chinese store ther was a Dominican store and they were employing Dominicans only
With Under invoicing and not paying proper VAT and eventually leading up to not paying proper
cooprate tax these chinese businesses have EVADED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TAXES EVERY YEAR.
FIU should invistagate how much money transaction these chinese people have on there personal and business accounts
Dominicans get up if not in next 20 years there will be no Dominica for Dominicans
Are the Chinese collecting VAT from us and not paying it to Government. If this is the case, its totally unacceptable and has to be stopped and they need to comply immediately.
I would like to think that this relates to the chinese that is working on the road. these workers are on a Government contract. so i dont see the need for them to pay VAT. but the rest of chinese busnieses in Dominica am sure they are paying VAT and other taxes.
The Dominica Association of Industry and Commerce (DAIC) call for the Inland Revenue Division, Value Added Tax (VAT) Unit and Customs and Excise Division to investigate Chinese merchants operating on the island to ensure that they become VAT Compliant is critical since many of these merchants have branches of their businesses spread all over Roseau and it would be useful to know how much VAT is collected from the thousands of dollars they are making.
I find it unacceptable that these Chinese merchants are operating here for so long and it appears that no effort is being made or has been made to collect the much needed VAT from them. It is clear that while Dominican merchants make the effort to pay the VAT those Chinese merchants seem to make no effort and go unsupervised and get away with payment of thousands of dollars. I do hope that the VAT Unit will ensure that those merchants found to be in breach of the VAT Act are made to pay all outstanding monies for which they are assessed and as well placed on the list of companies for which VAT is to be collected.
In looking into the issue of the compliance with the VAT Act, I do hope that the Dominica Social Security (DSS) will also investigate whether these Chinese merchants pay their Social Security contribution. I look forward to seeing the DSS collect all outstanding contributions owed as per the relevant section of the Social Security Act. I also hope that all companies will be subsequently registered to become Social Security compliant.
There is also concern about the number of Chinese immigrants who may be workiing illegally on the island and I hope that the Division of Labour and the Immigration Department undertake an audit of the residence status of those immigrants. This does not mean a witch hunt, since I support the free movement of people of all nationalities, I am just concerned about the number of persons working here illegally, this includes the increasing number of Chinese, Haitians and Dominican Republic nationals, and the small but growing numbers of Guyanese and Jamaican nationals as well, and every effort should be made to regularize those persons by giving them the opportunity to apply for the required work permits. I do not support deportation except in extreme cases, I am the son of an immigrant.
There is also the question of the quality of some of the products offered for sale, statistics show that a number of products offered for sale are not authentic and may be even tainted with dangerous chemicals and produced using flamable materials or small parts/fixtures that are hazardous to our health and well being. It is therefore the responsibility of the Dominica Bureau of Standards (DBOS) to ensure that the products/merchandize offered for sale are safe for use by Dominican consumers and I call on the Dominica Bureau of Consumer Affairs to ensure that Dominican consumers receive value for money.
I do hope that the above comments are taken in good faith and will continue to make meaningful contributions to such dialogue…meanwhile let’s all come together to make Dominica a more progressive and safe place in which to live and do business…
I think that this sensitization program should be made mandatory for all Chinese-owned businesses. Which would mean that none can attempt an ‘ignorance of the policy’ defense..
When these workshops are concluded, any of these businesses which fail to comply should be shut down… They already have unrivalled access to dirt-cheap goods from China, for them to still cheat the country out of VAT is inexcusable.