The Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce, Karl Samuda has issued an ultimatum to authorities in the Dominican Republic, to release a shipment of Jamaican cement currently being detained.
Mr Samuda has asked that it be released within the next 24 to 48 hours, as Caribbean Cement Company Ltd. (CCCL), has complied with all the quality standards requirements of that country.
The CCCL cement shipment valued at 250 thousand US dollars, has been prevented by the Dominican Producers Association of Portland Cement from being off-loaded since mid-April.
At a press conference Friday afternoon, Mr. Samuda said the situation was a classic case of the application of non-tariff barriers within the region.
He pointed out that the Dominican standards body, DIGENOR, had tested the product and was satisfied that the cement had met all the integrity and quality requirements.
He further noted that on that basis, the agency had issued a Certificate of Conformity.
Mr. Samuda said he would not hesitate to use the authority vested in his office to protect the interest of Jamaican producers whose businesses are legitimate and honest.
He stressed that he was particularly disappointed by the detention, since the Dominican Republic is one of Jamaica’s CARIFORUM partners and a signatory to the EU/Economic Partnership Agreement which facilitates trade and open markets.
So far, the detention is said to cost Caribbean Cement Company US$50,000 in charges, plus turnaround time during which other products could have been shipped.
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