Joint Statement by Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda and the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), Hon. Karl Samuda, and a team from the Ministry met with members of the board of the Jamaica Manufacturers’ Association (JMA) on Friday (September 22, 2017) to discuss the recently announced regime for imported sugar and the Minister’s statement regarding the alleged leakages of duty-free refined sugar into the retail trade.
President of the JMA, Mr. Metry Seaga, expressed grave concern regarding a statement issued in the public domain, which, he said, can be misconstrued as the entire manufacturing sector siphoning duty free sugar intended to be used in the manufacturing process into the retail trade.
But according to the Minister, it was not his intention to tarnish the reputation of the honest and hardworking members of the manufacturing sector.
“MICAF and the JMA have agreed to work together to ensure that any possible sources of leakage of duty-free refined sugar intended for the manufacturing trade are identified and anyone found culpable will receive the maximum punishment under the law. This measure is really about protecting the country’s revenue,” said Minister Samuda.
The JMA has also restated its support for the change in regime to control the importation of refined sugar for retail, which the Association had long proposed.
“The new regime for the labelling of sugar is consistent with measures previously proposed by the JMA. We continue to work with the Ministry and pledge our full support for the Ministry’s move to implement proper packaging and labelling standards for sugar,” stated Mr. Seaga.

Contact:
Karlene Brown (MICAF) Tel: 968-8669
Victoria Cole (JMA) Tel: 922-8880-3