Dom Rep must stick to trade rules in cement saga - Samuda

Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer

Industry and Commerce Minister Karl Samuda yesterday said the Government will not relent in its bid to have the Dominican Republic conform to trade rules.

Samuda, who on Monday night said cement importers would require a licence to bring the product into the island, warned that the Dominican Republic is likely to receive the short end of the stick if it continues to play hardball.

"It would be wise of them to bring a swift resolution to the issue, especially as it relates to the rule of fair trade," he said.

He told The Gleaner his ministry has "not yet received word from the Dominican Republic as to what their plans are".

Buoyed by the level of support he said he was getting from the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association, the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and other organisations, Samuda vowed that he would not ease up until the authorities in the Dominican Republic came to their senses.

"It is not in their interest to pursue any renegade policies, because we will not relent in protecting the interest of local manufacturers … . In the final analysis, that is what's paramount," he declared.

no copy of requirements

Norman Horne, the managing director of ARC, one of the island's leading importers of cement from the Dominican Republic, told The Gleaner that efforts to obtain a copy of the new licensing arrangement has failed.

"We have not received a copy of the new licensing requirements or regime for importing cement, so I am not sure of the impact that this decision will have on our operations," Horne said.

Despite the likely fallout arising from the decision, Horne also came out in support of Samuda. Horne asserted that the Dominican Republic must expect reciprocity to any action it seeks to pursue in the area of trade.

Horne said he is a nationalist, therefore, he does not support any ill treatment being meted out to Jamaica by any other country.

Opposition Spokesman on Industry and Commerce, Mark Golding, has also come out in support of Samuda's action.

Golding agreed that Samuda's intervention was aimed at ensuring that Caribbean Cement Company's exports to the Dominican Republic are not blocked by anti-competitive antics in that market.