KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica will join a new regional examination of cement, road-building bitumen and paints as Caribbean trade officials prepare evidence that could influence future import tariff decisions affecting construction materials.
Four assessment teams coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat are due to meet between October 12 and 27, according to an October 9 announcement. Their task is to establish whether producers within the Caribbean can adequately supply regional demand and how imports from outside the Community compare.
The exercise covers paints and varnishes, petroleum bitumen, a category described as other hydraulic cement, and glass bottles. Jamaica is represented on all four teams. The building-material assessments are especially relevant to contractors, developers and households purchasing supplies for construction or repairs.
Tariffs are under review, not yet changing
CARICOM says the findings will inform the Council for Trade and Economic Development, which brings together ministers responsible for trade. Officials will examine regional production capacity, transport costs, non-tariff barriers, rules of origin and the Common External Tariff applied to qualifying goods from outside the Community.
Importantly, no new duty, tariff reduction or restriction was announced on October 9. Nor has CARICOM published a finding that regional factories can satisfy demand. The teams must first complete their assessments, after which ministers can consider the evidence.
Why Jamaica will be watching cement
The review comes against a recent backdrop of cement supply pressure in Jamaica. In June, the Government authorised additional cement imports following production setbacks and stronger reconstruction demand. The Jamaica Information Service reported that officials expected imports to help ease the shortage.
That experience shows why a regional trade decision needs to consider both the interests of Caribbean manufacturers and reliable access to materials. A duty may influence import costs, but the eventual price paid at a Jamaican hardware store also depends on shipping, distribution, supply and retailer pricing.
The CARICOM teams will seek input from businesses, consumers and civil society. For homeowners and builders, the important next development will be the assessments themselves and any subsequent ministerial decision, rather than an assumption that material prices are about to rise or fall.
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