A number of business people have called on President Adama Barrow-led government to reduce the cost of tax on them as they feared over weakening business.
Speaking to Alieu Kebbeh, a shoe seller at Serrekunda Market said that: “tax regime is always a key factor that should be considered in any business in the market.”
According to him, he has been doing business at the market for over two decades, adding that “most of the products exported from China, Dubai are expensive due to high exchange rate or tax.”
We find it difficult to sell our products and earn our profit in this condition, the suppliers earn more than we do, he said.
He called on the government to put more focused on the cost of food items, saying that the basic commodities need to be priorities.
Matarr Njie, also a seller at Serrekunda Market lamented over the cost of items like textiles, footwears and among others, but hopes for better future for the business people.
He added that Christmas is just at the corner but our customers are yet to come, we have encountered a lot of challenges due to low sale in the market industry.
He then said that: “The government should put us into consideration as we all have responsibilities that at the end of the day we are expected to take something home to take care of our families.”
He said since Barrow- led administration came into office 2 years ago “it’s disheartening and stressful that nothing has been done towards these issues of exchange rates and high rate of taxation.”
Fatou Faal, a customer expressed her concerns over the increment in prices of goods.
Author: Maria Lopes & Mariama K Bojang
