The Barbados Manufactures’ Association (BMA) says it is deeply concerned about the recent announcement of a tax increase on sugar-sweetened beverages.

The BMA said in a statement today that the proposed tax increase to 20% effective April 1st will severely impact manufacturers that it says create thousands of good-paying jobs and provide economic stability for families.
The BMA also argues that the tax hurts local manufacturers by diverting critical investments from modernization, innovation on new products, and creating jobs.

The statement adds that a new “salt” tax follows in October this year that it believes will result in a compounded, detrimental impact on both manufacturers and consumers.