Westmoreland Chamber urges balance on proposed digital, sin taxes
Published:Saturday | February 21, 2026 | 12:05 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Moses Chybar, the president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce, is urging the Government to strike a careful balance as it moves to impose new taxes on digital services, alcohol, cigarettes and sugary drinks to meet the demands of the economic fallout caused by Hurricane Melissa.
According to Chybar, the chamber understands the financial strain caused by the hurricane, acknowledging the widespread infrastructural damage caused and the significant funding gap it has created.
“First of all, we do understand that given the level of damage sustained by the passage of Hurricane Melissa, it certainly leaves a big void, lots and lots of infrastructural damage that must be repaired,” said Chybar. “And of course, it will cost a lot of money to carry out these repairs and restoration.”
Chybar further noted that, while borrowing is inevitable, such funds must eventually be repaid, making revenue measures necessary.
Turning to the proposed tax on digital services, Chybar, a respected business figure in western Jamaica, said that as imported services, they can legitimately be subjected to taxation. However, he said the Government must carefully assess the potential impact on businesses that rely heavily on these platforms.
“There are many sectors, many businesses that utilise a lot of these digital services because such technology might not be readily available in Jamaica,” he told The Gleaner.
“The Government should really look long and hard at this to see which areas might be adversely affected to the point where they may have to shut down or perhaps not make profits anymore.”
Chybar also called for targeted support for local technology developers, suggesting that subsidies and incentives could help grow Jamaica’s digital economy.
“How can the Government provide some kind of subsidy to these people that may help them to develop, invest more into research and development, so that some of these very same services that we are now utilising from overseas companies could be developed locally?” he asked.
He further argued that strengthening local digital production could reduce foreign exchange outflows, increase productivity and potentially lower costs for Jamaican businesses.
Regarding the proposed increases in taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, Chybar said the chamber is “not overly worried” about that.
HABITS AND NOT NECESSITIES
“Alcohol and cigarettes are not necessities. It’s more of an addiction and habit,” he said.
He also noted that while past tax increases have led to short-term declines in consumption, usage typically rebounds within months due to addiction, despite the known health risks.
Regarding taxes on sugary drinks, Chybar said the Westmoreland business community understands the public health rationale.
“Consumption of these drinks in large quantities can have a negative impact on health and contribute to the development of non-communicable diseases,” he said, adding that this places additional pressure on an already strained health sector.
However, he again emphasised the need for balance, urging the Government to simultaneously support local producers of healthier alternatives.
“What are we going to do as a country to provide subsidies or concessions for those companies locally that are investing in healthier drinks, drinks with lower sugar content, or natural juices?” he asked.
Chybar pointed to Jamaica’s abundance of seasonal fruits and the presence of small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in juice production, suggesting that with the right support, these could expand into larger industries.
“Rather than just make the unhealthy ones more expensive, that is fine, provided that we are simultaneously looking at how best to develop the sector that is invested into healthier choices,” he said.
Chybar noted that he was awaiting further details on how the taxes will be structured, what exemptions might apply, and how the funds will be utilised.
“We are eager to hear how we’re going to use some of these funds, or some other funds, to support the local economy, local producers, and give people healthier choices while reducing dependency on overseas services,” he said.
Chybar maintained that increased local production would not only provide alternatives but also stimulate job creation and economic growth in the parish and across Jamaica.