Prices for some zero-rated items have increased

Dear Editor,

It is now the third (3rd) day of 2007, which means it’s Guyana’s third day as a beneficiary or victim of VAT, depending on your perspective. Additionally, today also marked my first day out on the town, with no more reason than to survey the climate of the marketplace. Although my tour was limited I found a glaring injustice, which seemingly occurred as a well planned and coordinated parallel process to the advent of VAT implementation. Prices for even the most simple items have increased including those which are VAT exempt or zero-rated, some by $10, $15, $20, and so on. I bought a coconut bun and was charged $10 extra, the same thing occurred when I bought a pine tart and even a locally made juice. This realization really hit home as I was buying lunch from a popular city caf