Agriculture minister reports interest for sugar assets

The Agriculture Minister is reporting that several expressions of interest have been received for the acquisition of Jamaica’s sugar assets.



Dr Christopher Tufton did not provide details in Parliament today.



He said as soon as the March 13 deadline expires for the bids to be tendered, the Cabinet would review them.



Dr Tufton said there will be consultation with the Opposition before an announcement is made.



The Government was forced to put up its sugar assets plus the local ethanol plant for sale after a deal with Infinity Bio Energy fell through.



The Brazilian-based company was given two extensions to find the money to buy the factories and the ethanol plant.



However, after the deadline on January 31, it had still not found the money.



The Government then said it would not be able to wait any longer.



However, the Prime Minister said this would not rule out the opportunity for Infinity to be re-engaged in the process.



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