A call is being made for government to remove the 7% online purchase tax as a way to help small and medium-sized businesses.

The tax went into effect in October of 2016 and applies to purchases made online.

However, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the tax has furthered financial pressures on emerging entrepreneurs.

She believes government should look at other sources of increasing income, including through diversification of the economy and measures to boost the energy sector.