Bai Shan Lin wants GRA to release seized vehicles; UN Chief written over dispute

Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 May 2016, 14:47 by

Bai Shan Lin Managing Director Chu Hongbo and GRA Chairman Rawle Lucas

The principals of controversial Chinese conglomerate Bai Shan Lin have written the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) requesting that immediate steps be taken towards the release of two vehicles that were seized in April.

In the letter prepared by the Company’s Firm C V Satram and Associates, it explicitly states that the treaty agreement between the Government of Guyana and China was violated with the seizure of the assets.

GRA, on April 5, seized a Lexus SUV bearing license plate number PRR 2888 and a Nissan mini-van with license plate number PRR-3888. Both were taken to the GRA storage bond at Eccles following the confiscation.

It is reported that Bai Shan Lin owes import tax on the two vehicles.

“The purported imposition of the liability is unlawful and the imposition of a triggered dispute between the company and the Government of Guyana which is to be dealt with under the agreement between the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Guyana,” the letter seen by Demerara Waves states.

One of the seized vehicles

Written on May 16, the dispatch is requesting that the assets seized by the GRA be relinquished or further action be taken.

In a second letter written to Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge the company complains that “the new government seeks to dismantle the concessionary structure and has commenced to seize property.”

The second letter also states that GRA was in complete disregard of the trade agreement when it moved to seize the vehicles.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

“There is an agreement a treaty between Guyana and China that if there is any dispute between the Government of Guyana and the investor from China…the treaty says that they must open of diplomatic channels only if that fails they can take further action…they should begin negotiations to resolve dispute in keeping with the treaty between Guyana and China,” Attorney Mahendra Satram stated.

It was also noted that Bai Shan Lin is suffering “severe and burdensome losses and faces action by the state to cripple its business in Guyana.”

A letter was also written to United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon asking that the UN remind Guyana of its treaty obligations.

President David Granger was also copied in two of the communications.