JAMAICA | PNP Implores Government to Fix Problems in CARICOM Affecting Renewable Energy Sector

KINGSTON, Jamaica. January 25, 2024: Shadow Minister on Investment, Trade & Global Logistics, member of parliament Anthony Hylton, has called on the government to act swiftly to remedy the situation  where Jamaica’s request for suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) on Lithium-Ion Batteries for use in the renewable energy sector was denied by the CARICOM Council on Trade and Economic Development (COTED), at its November meeting. 

In a statement, Mr. Hylton, said his concern is based on industry complaints that although Jamaican businesses had given due notice of their request for the suspension by ensuring the item was placed on the COTED agenda, an eleventh hour response in opposition by another member state at the meeting, was used as the basis for a denial of the request.

The PNP spokesperson explained that “Every member state has the right to seek and obtain suspension of the CET on items imported from outside the CARICOM Region, unless another  CARICOM member state produces or can produce the item in sufficient  quantity, quality, and at the  price,  and  standard required by the CARICOM Rules.”

Mr. Hylton continued “it is the practice that a request for suspension is not denied without prior evidence resulting from an investigation by the Secretariat technical staff that the CARICOM producer satisfies at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the product demand within CARICOM”. 

The Shadow Minister said the fact that this was not done prior to the denial of the suspension is, "highly irregular and should not have been allowed in the first place.”

Mr. Hylton observed that, “any corrective action taken by the government now will not compensate these businesses for any losses suffered as a result of this irregular procedure.”

He wants the government to move with alacrity to remedy the situation affecting this important sub- sector.

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