.jpg)
Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Aubyn Hill
.png)
Minister Aubyn Hill
By Racquel Porter
Industry, Investment and Commerce Minister Aubyn Hill says CARICOM has agreed to suspend the 30 per cent Common External Tariff (CET) to allow Jamaica to import ice at an affordable price.
Jamaica's main ice manufacturer, Pure National Limited, started importing ice after fire destroyed its factory in November last year.
Since then, customers have seen ice prices increase by $100 to $200 per bag.
"Pure Ice very quickly came to us and said we need some relief. We gave them the GCT relief and we're now asking for the CET relief which the PS (permanent secretary) and the technical people tell me that we expected to get it in January, and she just says we got it," Mr. Hill disclosed.
He provided the update at Wednesday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House, noting that applications for the duty relief will be administered through his ministry.
He said the suspension of the CET is expected to last six months.
The government has also provided General Consumption Tax relief in relation to the imported ice.
The Common External Tariff is applied to goods imported from outside the CARICOM region.
comments powered by Disqus
All feeds
