Protect us from Indian traders

The businessmen claimed the Indian traders set exorbitant rents for booths at trade fairs which the they organise locally to mainly to sell products from India. Local businessmen, however, are allowed to rent spots to also sell their merchandise.

Calling on Minister of Trade and Industry Stephen Cadiz to protect local businesses, the businessmen demanded he enforce a policy to regularise trade fairs from India.

Approximately 12 protesters were present carrying placards which read: “Cadiz do the right thing”, “Cadiz do not sell our country” and “Protect local business”.

Businessman Vijay Ramai said local businessmen believed they were being unfairly treated by the Indian traders. He said although businessmen sell alongside the Indian tradesmen, only the locals have been paying such taxes as VAT, as well as health surcharge for employees hired to work at their booths.

Besides the taxes, the businessmen were also protesting the rents the Indians charge for booths at the trade fairs. Ramai said locals had to pay to in US dollars, and claimed the rent was as high as US$225 (TT$1,417) per square metre. Businessmen usually rent up to 18 square metres on which to display and sell their goods.

He referred to an Indian trade fair currently on in Debe, which he said he did not sign up for because the rent for space at the venue was too high.

To avoid these exorbitant rates, Ramai said he and other local businessmen have begun their own trade fairs having completed two local trade fairs earlier this year.

Ramai said the group wanted to meet with Cadiz who they want to regularise the trade fairs. In the interim, according to Ramai, the group is asking Government to not grant permits to the Indian traders until a policy on trade fairs is established and possibly made law. Earlier this month, Ramai had also brought to the attention of the Trade Ministry, the possibility that workers from India were being employed without work permits by the Indian traders.

When contacted yesterday, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Carl Francis, said the ministry was aware of the issues raised by Ramai. Francis said an inter- ministerial committee was set up to consider a policy on foreign trade fairs.

A meeting with stakeholders was held recently and another is scheduled for next week. Francis hopes this second meeting will be decisive so a final policy can be taken to Cabinet for approval. He assured the process was being expedited “to ensure all groups were afforded a level playing field.”

However in response, one organiser of an Indian trade fair, said foreign competitors often have to pay more than local businessmen in terms of storage, transport and distribution.

The spokesperson also said the quoted rent of US$225 may be erroneous as the rate differs with location.

He said the rate is not as high as quoted as businesses at the trade fairs would not be able to afford such exorbitant rents, adding many local businessmen are still attracted to the trade fairs as a profitable ventures.