The Value Added Tax (VAT) Regime takes effect on October 1st, 2012.  Toward this end, the Ministry of Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs will be conducting a training program to facilitate the preparedness of the Small Business Sector to become VAT compliant. 

The training is scheduled to take place from July 30th, 2012 to October 4th, 2012.  The training is targeted at those businesses that meet the threshold of EC$180,000 in taxable annual revenue.   The programme, which is sponsored by the Government of Saint Lucia, will run concurrently in five districts, namely: Gros Islet, Castries, Dennery, Vieux Fort and Soufriere.

Registration begins on Wednesday July 18, 2012 at the Small Enterprise Development Unit (SEDU) within the Ministry of Commerce and continues throughout the duration of the training programme.  However, on July 19th and 20th, 2012 only from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm a Business Development Officer will be at the following registration venues to assist registrants based in those areas:

Location

Registration Venue

Address

Gros Islet

Gros Islet Community Centre

Next to the Gros Islet playing field

Castries

Small Enterprise Development Unit (SEDU)

c/o Ministry of Commerce, 4th Floor, Heraldine Rock Building, Castries Waterfront

Dennery

Dennery-Mabouya Valley Development Foundation

La Caye, Dennery

Vieux Fort

Vieux Fort Town Council

Opposite Hobie,  Vieux Fort Hwy

Soufriere

Soufriere Town Council

Bridge Street, Soufriere

All eligible businesses are encouraged to register early to ensure they are adequately prepared. 

For further information, feel free to contact Mr. Peter Lorde at 468-4204 or Mrs. Barbara Innocent-Charles at 468-4220 / 453-2891.