New Anglia University has been granted a tax break on several items required to set up its medical school in Anguilla, including two human skulls.
Premier Ellis Webster, who also serves as finance minister, presented a motion to the Anguilla House of Assembly on 28 January which sought to waive customs duty on essential items.
He said, if approved, the tax exemption would be backdated to 10 October 2024, lasting until 9 October 2025, and would save the university just over EC$13,000.
Among the items included in the list are books, computer equipment, hospital beds, cabinets, tables, anatomical models, projectors, a microscope, suture kits and a CPR manikin.
View the list in full here.
Mutual benefits
Webster said the tax break is part of a memorandum of understanding signed with the school which included several concessions.
“For those concessions, we negotiated with New Anglia University that they would provide scholarships for all Anguillian students that want to study for a medical degree at the institution,” he continued.
“I think they should be commended for that, because they have not put a limit to how much new doctors we can have that are Anguillian that would attend this university.”
The premier said the intention is that students not only finish their pre-clinical training in Anguilla, but also go on to finish their clinical years on the island.
Jobs and training
Infrastructure minister Haydn Hughes rose in support of the motion which he said recognises that “another great medical school” has come to Anguilla, and hinted that there are more in the pipeline.
Webster responded by thanking the members for understanding the need for these types of concessions.
He said they not only to attract knowledge-based industries, but other businesses which provide jobs and also training for Anguillians.
All members voted in favour of the motion and it was passed without amendments.
The ribbon was cut at New Anglia University campus in George Hill on 11 January. Watch an overview of the event below:
