Jamaica wants COTED to protect condensed and evaporated milk, seeking to become region's main supplier

Jamaica is seeking to become the main supplier of condensed milk and evaporated milk in the region.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green, who lead Jamaica’s delegation at the 48th COTED Meeting in Georgetown, Guyana last week, made an application for condensed milk and evaporated milk to be a protected commodity.

The proposal included that CARICOM Member States be charged a set duty in the importation of condensed milk and evaporated milk that come from outside the region.

The application was made based on the ability of a Jamaican company to provide 75% of the condensed milk and evaporated milk that the region requires.

COTED considered Jamaica’s application to put these products on the ineligible list of commodities.

The agreement was that COTED will assemble a team consisting of member states and technical experts to assess Jamaica's claim that it has the ability to meet this demand.

Meanwhile, in line with the Government’s aim to foster the increased use of renewable energy in Jamaica,  Green also made a presentation which sought to enable players in the renewable energy market to have Lithium Ion Batteries enter Jamaica at a reduced cost.

COTED accepted the application and it has been agreed that Jamaica can suspend the common external tariff (CET) on Lithium Ion Batteries for two years.

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