BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO
A rural fishmonger is spending more in fees annually then a retail, general and wholesale owner.
Speaking to Island Sun, a fishmonger at the Honiara central market says they pay almost $20,000 in fees annually.
In comparison to retail shops and other shops in general, the fishmonger says they are paying more than their fair share.
The issue was highlighted by a fishmonger from Central islands province who felt that the system had been unfair for struggling Solomon Islanders dwelling in the provinces.
“For instance, at the central market we pay $40 market fee daily for six days including storage fee of $20 per day. Calculating the total cost of fees, we will be spending almost $20,000 per year with our business,” he says.
Meanwhile Island Sun understands that the business licence for a home retail shop canteen owner is $840 annually whilst the business licence for a general supermarket and wholesale owner is $14,000 per year.
A local general retail shop owner will need to pay $5,600 in business licence per year whilst a foreign owner of a general retail shop is paying a total of $6,000 per year for a business licence.
“Where is the fairness in that,” said the rural fishmonger.
