Small entrepreneurs from Batumi plan mass protest rallies from March 25. They are discontent about the amendments to the Tax Code which obliges them to install new cash-machines from April 1.
The small entrepreneurs claim they had to raise prices on goods due to the increased taxes at Sarpi Custom House. Consequently, they have lost clients.
Each entrepreneur has to pay 18% of the price for the declaration of the goods (price from 1000 to 3 000 GEL) at the Sarpi Custom House that makes 150 GEL for the good price and 170 GEL for administrative expenses. The traders said they will not be able to pay for the new cash-machines.
“We request fixed tax which will be acceptable for every trader. I have not sold anything even for 1 GEL for the last 10 days yet. We hoped for better life but now it is changing for the worse,” said traders of the so-called Khopa Market.
Maka Malakmadze, Adjara