CARICOM heads agree to review domestic air transport taxes

With the view of streamlining their tax structures and eliminating fees that negatively impact the demand and supply of air transport services regionally, CARICOM heads of government have agreed to review their domestic air transport taxes.

This was decided during the Thirtieth Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), held in St Kitts and Nevis on February 26 and 27.

Representing Guyana at the high level meeting was Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge.

The communique from the meeting reported that the heads of government met in a special session on transportation, in keeping with their “quest to deliver adequate, fair, competitive, efficient transportation services at affordable costs”.

In addition to the decision on taxes, countries that have not yet signed on to the Multi-lateral Air Services Agreement (MASA) were urged to do so, as the agreement would lead to the community becoming a liberalized environment for CARICOM air carriers, the release stated. Only nine countries have signed on to the agreement so far.

In relation to maritime travel, it was agreed that a joint private and public sector team would be established to review the findings and recommendations of reports on a regional ferry service, and provide preliminary estimates for the implementation of such services.

The Directors of Maritime Affairs of each member state are also now required to meet regularly to coordinate and present a holistic approach to addressing maritime safety and security issues across the community.

Additionally, the heads of government agreed to restructure the Regional Transportation Commission (RTRC) and its programmes with the aim of enabling greater efficiency, it was reported.