Baker Mayfield Jersey “Noteworthy is the fact that in the RUDISA matter
| The Government of Guyana is being hauled before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to respond to claims made by two beverage companies.This was made known at a recent press conference held by the Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams at his Carmichael Street Office.The Minister told the media that S.M. Jaleel & Company Limited and Guyana Beverages Inc. have filed lawsuits similar to the one filed by Rudisa Beverages a few years ago.Williams said that the two companies have sought “special leave to appear as parties before the CCJ for the purpose of filing an originating application.”He said that the beverage companies are claiming relief and reimbursement against Guyana.The case is grounded on an alleged breach by Guyana of the principles of trade liberalization and free movement of goods envisioned by Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas Establishing the Caribbean Community including the Caricom Single Market and Economy.Williams said that the companies are claiming a refund of the Environmental Tax imposed during the period January 1, 2006 to the date of the repeal of the Act in August 2015. Therefore,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, if judgment is to be handed down in favour of the companies reimbursement will run into the billions.Minister Williams told the media that the companies are relying on “the judgment in the RUDISA Beverages matter in which a similar claim was made.However,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, the new Attorney General is optimistic that this would not be the case as he intends to lead evidence that was not used in the RUDISA case.The Minister said,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, “Noteworthy is the fact that in the RUDISA matter,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, it was noted that the Government of Guyana did not lead evidence to show that the tax was transferred. We intend to lead such evidence in this case.”The Government has served a Request to be heard. This matter is scheduled for case management on May 13, 2016 by the Caribbean Court of Justice.Rudisa Beverages had taken the government to court over the imposition of GYD$10 on every disposable container imported into the country and won the case,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, arguing that a similar tax was not imposed on local distributors such as Banks DIH and Demerara Distillers limited.In the Rudisa case,NFL Jerseys China, the CCJ ruled that the Guyana Government breached the regulations of the Treaty of Chaguramas. This led to a US$6M ruling in favour of the applicant.After Rudisa won its case, the Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) criticized the then government for not fighting the case in a proper manner.GMSA had said that Government should take into account the gross unfairness to Guyanese who would be forced to pay twice since they already paid RUDISA’S Environmental tax with every purchase of a bottled beverage. |
