St. Vincent Government Targets Cost Of Living
The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Government has outlined a series of measures aimed at easing the rising cost of living, with the immediate focus on reducing the impact of high electricity prices.
Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday said his government is continuing to review ways to shield households and businesses from higher energy costs, which have been driven by the conflict in the middle east and its impact on global oil prices.
The government has already removed certain charges on fuel imported by the state-owned electricity company, VINLEC, while the utility has been absorbing some of the increase in fuel costs rather than passing them on to customers.
The Prime Minister said the government’s long-term strategy is to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel through greater investment in renewable energy.
He also announced a number of additional cost of living measures, including a vat-free shopping day on august 28th, increased public assistance, the removal of registration fees for secondary schools and the community college, and government payment of examination fees for students leaving secondary school.
