Dock charges to rise by 60 %

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has approved a rise in wharf charges but vetoed hiking the excise tax.

They're among revenue bills sent to the fono for approval in the last session.

The governor signed into law bills increasing wharf and dock charges and establishing a one percent alternative minimum business tax.

He vetoed a bill which raises excise tax from five to eight per cent and also the supplemental budget for the 2018 financial year.

He said importers would be hit by a 60 percent increase in dock charges and should be given an opportunity to recover their costs before he'll consider hiking the excise tax.