Dear Editor
Kaieteur News of 9/10/08 reported an issue in Lethem regarding the presence of vehicles with Venezuelan number plates. It also included a comment made by the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Khurshid Sattaur that  “Lethem is no free port and all goods entering Guyana through that area, are subject to duty and taxes”.

This situation has raised an issue which should have been clarified a long time ago.
When Mr. Manzoor Nadir, then minister of Trade and Tourism, visited Lethem a few years ago he intimated that Lethem would have been made a free trade zone so as to facilitate business with Brazil. Since then most people in Lethem have been assuming that that is the case and Brazilian goods are sold in Lethem without any duty being paid on them.

Now that this issue is once again in the limelight, could the government/relevant authorities update the people of Lethem as to their intentions regarding Lethem being a duty free port?

Also, now that the GRA is clamping down on illegal vehicles would similar action be taken against trade in groceries, meat etc, between Lethem and Brazil? If that is the case, then residents of the Rupununi are in for some very difficult times as most household items are purchased from Brazil.
Yours faithfully,
M. Emile

Editor’s note:

A copy of this letter is being sent to the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce for any comment he may wish to make.