Tax negotiations delaying telecoms liberalisation – Hughes

Negotiations between the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) have stalled the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, according to Minister of Telecommunications Catherine Hughes.

Hughes told an Alliance For Change news conference on Thursday that while the intention was to realise full liberalisation between July and August of this year, a requirement that GTT and GRA “work out tax issues,” which will impact the rest of the negotiations, has not been completed.

“GRA is solely independent. I have no jurisdiction or impact so I am waiting patiently for them to finish those negotiations,” Hughes said.