Tourist VAT Refund Scheme to extend North

The Tourist VAT Refund Scheme will be extended to Savusavu from the first of January next year.

This was revealed by Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama as he opened the Fiji Islands Revenue and Customs Authority office in Savusavu this morning.

Under this scheme, a tourist is allowed to claim a refund of VAT paid on goods purchased over $500 in Fiji and taken out of the country within two months of purchase.

Commodore Bainimarama said that there is potential of various tourism initiatives and trends, and thus the Refund Scheme has been extended to include Savusavu as well from 1st January 2011.

When announced in the 2010 National Budget, a condition of the scheme was that the tourists could apply for VAT refund if the goods passed through the Nadi International Airport or through the Suva Wharf.

Commodore Bainimarama said this development compliments the declaration of Vanua Levu as part of the tax free region as well as Savusavu will become a port of entry with the imminent development of the new port facilities at Balaga Bay.

Bainimarama also added that this ties in with the recent Super Yacht Charter Decree where Savusavu will be a must destination for the super yachts.

The Prime Minister is currently on a tour of the North and is expected to meet with businessmen from Labasa tonight.