THE EDITOR, Sir:

Our insatiable appetite for imported goods has contributed to a continued widening of the trade gap. Consumer goods imports, most likely, will exceed US$1.7 billion in 2013.

We cannot continue on this destructive path. Successive government policies have been unable to correct this problem.

We tend to implement measures that not only encourage importation, but negatively impact local manufacturing.

Those of us in the formal economy face the brunt of the revenue measures implemented by Government. Our manufacturing and agro sectors could pose a serious challenge to these imports if they were operating in an more conducive environment.

FOCUS ON CONSUMPTION

I would suggest that revenue measures be focused on consumption, instead of productive activities, as this would not only reduce our foreign-exchange outflows, but would also assist in job creation, as well as ensuring that persons in the informal sector play their part in the sacrifice we are all required to make.

Just imagine the positive effects our economy would realise by significantly cutting imports of consumer goods.

MIKE MING

islandpackers@flowja.com