Request to Remove Customs Duties on Art Supplies in The Bahamas

We the undersigned, representing Artists and Art Educators of The Bahamas and those who support us, respectfully request the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to consider removing or, at least, substantially reducing the Government Customs Duties on Art Supplies and equipment imported into the country.
The 45% or more Bahamas Government Customs Duty on the majority of art supplies and equipment imported into this country makes it very costly for visual artists to create artwork in The Bahamas. 
Generally, the Bahamian populace considers our art high-priced. What they may not know is that these high prices are due mainly to the cost of the materials we import to create our work. In a market where it is a challenge to sell artwork because it is considered a luxury, having to sell at higher prices just to cover our costs makes it even more difficult. Further to this, people are buying less and less artwork because of their own economic challenges.
Additionally, Bahamian visual artists are often called upon to participate in events to promote The Bahamas on national and international levels, or to donate works to fundraising, which means we often reap little to no financial benefit. But that does not stop us; we artists are generally an altruistic group who would participate and give for the love of our art, our country, and those less fortunate. Still, it has gotten to the point where Bahamian visual artists are finding it increasingly hard to bear the cost of their own calling.
Most significant are these facts: Bahamian musicians get Customs Duty exemptions on their musical equipment; Junkanoo artists get Customs Duty exemptions on the supplies they use to create Junkanoo; Printing companies get their supplies in duty-free to encourage Bahamians to print locally; Light Industries are allowed their raw materials duty free. Why aren't visual artists afforded this same allowance?
On a related note, many Bahamian artists have spent tens of thousands of dollars on studying Art abroad. Most of them come back home wanting to contribute to our community. Imagine how discouraging it must be for them to see this -- no Customs Duty on foreign artwork imported into this country (which makes these pieces cheaper and thus more attractive to the Bahamian public). On the other hand, Bahamian visual artists have to pay very high Customs Duties to bring in art supplies and equipment for creation of their work in their own country. 
Since this state of affairs works directly against our artists' livelihoods and interests, it would seem to make more sense for Bahamian artists NOT to come back home after completing studies abroad, to live and produce outside, then send their work back home to sell. 
Bahamian visual artists are culture-makers and manufacturers; for a long time we have been under-appreciated. Daily we contribute to the formation of our nation's culture. We act as ambassadors to make this country known on the world stage. We humbly request that the Bahamian Government take this into consideration and remove that which blocks many an artist to soar – high customs duties on art supplies and equipment.
Considering the relatively small size of the art community, the percentage of revenue that the Government would lose by removing Customs Duties on art supplies and equipment would be negligible; whereas such a removal would result in immeasurable gain of goodwill, not only of the Bahamian Art community and art educators, but of families, friends, students and associates of artists.
So, by preparing this petition, we are formally requesting that the Bahamas Government considers removing or significantly reducing Customs Duties on a wide range of art supplies and equipment used to create indigenous Bahamian artwork. If Bahamian artists were able to import their art supplies and equipment duty free, this would not only profoundly help a beleaguered community, but also make a significant statement that this present Government supports makers of the nation's culture.
Thank you for your time in reading this and for your consideration and support of our request.