A question from the Chamber of Commerce, “Lets Talk Business Forum,” last Thursday evening was: The Chamber of Commerce advocated for the relaxing of import duties and tariffs in the emergency declaration guidelines. If you were governor would you have agreed or engaged with the Chamber of Commerce to find a solution during the emergency declarations?Guber
Candidate for Governor Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga had the floor first and he answered in Samoan.
He said that all taxes are intended and allocated for a purpose such as paying debts and finance projects and services. “It’s not a simple matter,” he said. “The Governor and administration have proposed a sales tax which everyone would pay. As it is with income taxes and the wage tax, only workers pay, along with businesses but not the general public”
Lemanu added that legislative action is needed for other sources of funding to cover the taxes that will be suspended.
For the Iaulualo and Tapaau team, this was the reply from Candidate for Governor Iaulualo Faafetai Talia.
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Candidate Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua said Nua and Satele will support a suspension of import duties and tariffs during the pandemic when businesses are struggling with their operations. He said, “We will support a moratorium.”
Lt Governor candidate Talauega Eleasalo Ale also had a chance to express his views on the topic before time was up.
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