Up to press time yesterday, Guardian Business understood that the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation's (BCCEC) board of directors had yet to announce whether it had accepted Chairman Robert Myers' letter of resignation, although the matter was reportedly due to be discussed at a meeting yesterday.
Myers offered his resignation last week following what he termed a "procedural error" stemming from a valuation dispute with the Customs Department over a Porsche sport utility vehicle that Myers imported earlier this year, which some in the media portrayed as an attempt to defraud the Customs Department.
Myers had no further comment on the matter. However, Guardian Business understands that the BCCEC's board of directors held a meeting yesterday afternoon to address the matter. It is not clear whether the meeting was specifically called to deal with the letter of resignation.
Myers admitted to making an error in the customs valuation of the vehicle and paid the customs duty on the full value of the vehicle as well as an additional fine for the error.
"It is clear to me from the media reports that my status as chairman of the BCCEC has caused significant public escalation of this matter by those who wish to discredit me. I would argue that the reporter's claims that I have been treated with any preference by customs are misguided," he wrote in his letter of resignation.
"If anything, I have paid a greater price because of my position in the BCCEC, evidenced by the fact that the files related to my matter were leaked to the press. Other than the leaked information, I believe that customs has acted appropriately."
Myers further stated that he did not want the publicity surrounding the dispute to discredit or negatively impact the progress made by the BCCEC and the Coalition for Responsible Taxation (CRT).
"The organization accomplishes great work and does so with very limited support or thanks. I am proud to have been a part of it and I wish the BCCEC every success in the future," said Myers.
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