By Alva Solomon
THE National Assembly last evening passed legislation aimed at strengthening the Remigrant Scheme, with both sides of the House contending that it will close loopholes which existed in the system.
The move was made with the passing of the Customs Amendment Bill 2016, which received support from the Opposition. In addition to defining remigrant persons, the legislation addresses those who move and settle here, and focused heavily on the importation of vehicles.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan explained that the bill seeks to amend Section 23 of the Customs Act. He said Guyana no doubt has a large diaspora population, and various governments have sought to bring that population closer home. “Obviously, for both their resources, financial, human and otherwise,” he observed, adding that the bill seeks to determine “who is a remigrant and what are the entitlements, especially as regards vehicles.”

Jordan said he has read stories of persons being granted remigrant status returning, and “some don’t return”. He said some persons generally return, collect their duty-free concessions, most notably on cars, but because of a system with holes, some problems have arisen.

He said the amendment seeks to define who qualifies as a remigrant, the type of vehicle, and how the concessions can be granted. He added that the bill also speaks to what will happen if breaches of the requirement occur.

STANDARD DEFINITIONS
He said the legislation brings no new regulations, but standard definitions of residency. He said the individual must have lived in Guyana for at least 183 days, a general prescription of six months.

As regards the vehicle, it must not be older than eight years, in keeping with a new policy announced by the Government.

“The vehicle must be in possession for six months from date of manufacture to date of importation, and must not be more than eight years (old),” he reiterated.

The vehicle must be imported by the qualifying remigrant, who must be so qualified within six months of reassuming residency; or as in case of a settler who arrives and settles. To this end, Minister Jordan said Guyana is an attractive destination, and persons have settled here.

OPPOSITION IN SUPPORT
Opposition Member of Parliament Anil Nandlall rose to speak on the bill, and offered the support of the PPP for the amendments. He noted that the remigrant scheme has been the subject of abuse, misuse and manipulation.

He explained that persons who relocate here from overseas would apply to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, where the applications are made. The application is then processed at the Finance Ministry; and, by procedure, the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) grants the concession.

The former Attorney General told the House there were instances where vehicles were repossessed and litigation ensued, and all sorts of technical arguments have been raised in the courts.

He said judgments have been passed either way.

“There were loopholes in the system which needed to be corrected,” Nandlall said. He added that the bill captures most of the efforts made jointly among the three agencies concerned — the GRA and the Finance and Legal Affairs Ministries — to correct the situation. He described the situation as “a regular scam for persons to apply and then return to permanent abode while the concession is being processed”.

GOOD MEASURE
Nandlall described the legislation as a “good measure, good attempt by the Government to block holes that have been identified”. He expressed hope that the legislation would assist the revenue bodies to guard against abuse of the process.

The bill was then taken to the Committee of Supply, where it was examined clause by clause, following which the Finance Minister reported on the process. It was then read for a third time and passed.