By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 70 straw market vendors were suspended from their stalls for unpaid license fees yesterday, according to Straw Market Authority Chairman Ron Pinder.

Speaking at the launch of a cultural tour to directly advertise straw markets and indigenous craft produced, Mr Pinder confirmed that the SMA was in negotiations to assume control over two additional markets on New Providence.

Mr Pinder said: “We are in discussions with BAIC and Atlantis to take over the straw market and craft centre at Paradise Island, negotiations should be completed in the next several months and we will commence immediately regulating that facility. The market at Fort Charlotte is owned by the Antiquities Monuments and Museums Corporation, and negotiations should not take very long because it is a smaller market.”

The Straw Market Authority currently regulates the Cable Beach market at Pompey’s Village, the Nassau straw market, and the Fort Fincastle market.

Mr Pinder maintained that there are “no knock-offs” sold at any of the three facilities regulated by the SMA.

“What we have been challenged with is we have had vendors who have facilitated the purchase of those knock-off bags by taking (tourists) across the street to Market Street, but we have sought to even address that by enforcing the levying of fines to vendors who are found doing that.”

Mr Pinder also noted that there was no set deadline for vendors to get rid of foreign-manufactured products.

“There is no set deadline but any new applicants to our markets, we have certainly requested of them to send samples of their product to ensure that they are promoting products indigenous to the Bahamas.”

In order to operate in the market, vendors have to pay a $35 weekly fee.

Last year, following the suspension of more than 50 Straw Market stalls found to be hundreds of dollars in arrears, vendors said the layout of the market contributed to the challenge in meeting payments.

Representatives from the Straw Business Persons Society or the Straw Vendors Association could not be reached up to press time.

Mr Pinder said the authority planned to release a full statement on the matter today.

Yesterday, Mr Pinder said: “It’s about 75 persons (suspended).”

“Their licenses are simply suspended until they bring their accounts current. These are persons whom we have requested over and repeatedly to come and make arrangements to bring their fees current and they have not, so this is the last step.”

He added: “If they enter a payment agreement today, their stalls will be open today.”