CCJ rules on contempt charge against Guyana

The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has turned down a request by Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) and its subsidiary for US$3 million in compensation from the Guyana government.



The Trinidad-based cement producer had made the move to the CCJ, accusing Guyana of acting in breach of a ruling made by the court in August for the reinstatement of the Common External Tariff (CET) on cement sourced from extra-regional sources.



However, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Charles Ramson says the court had deemed the contempt matter to be improperly constituted.



Guyana officially reinstated the CET in January 2010 in keeping with the Caribbean Court’s judgment, after complaining that TCL was unable to meet its domestic demand for cement, forcing it to look outside.



The Bharrat Jagdeo administration had further pointed to an increase in the price for TCL cement, saying this allowed producers from outside of the region to export their cement to Guyana at competitive prices.