Annual Report 2021

TRANSFORMING TOMORROW...!
1. CARICOM Council for
Trade and Economic
Development (COTED)
The Chamber attended two COTED
meetings held in May and November
2021, and made representation to the
Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)
on behalf of our members on various
issues including, but not limited
to, Common External Tariff (CET)
Suspensions in the following areas:
The JCCC also works to identify
areas where standard operating
procedures are required within
Customs and Excise and areas
in which increased digitisation to
improve trade facilitate can be
utilised.
I. Pharmaceuticals – Renewal of suspension approved
for decreased duties
II. List of Basic & Additional Items – Renewal of
yearly suspension approved for decreased duties
III. Public Health Supplies – Renewal of suspension
approved for decreased duties
IV. Pasta – Duty was increased to 60% to aid in the
development of local manufacturing
We also contributed the following agenda items for COTED
Meetings 2021 year: CET Suspensions Requests, Assessment
of Jamaica’s ability to supply condensed milk to the region
and Update on the Convening of the CARICOM-Colombia
Joint Council on Trade, Economic and Business Cooperation.
2. Working Group on Regional Trade in Sugar
The Chamber has established a technical working group
among the membership to develop a policy brief for the
Ministry of Trade and Industry with relevant recommendations
to be implemented which affects users of refined white
sugar in the region. The paper was submitted to the MTI in
November and further stakeholder consultations are pending.
3. Trade Facilitation Matters
Recognising the impact that efficiency at the border has on the
cost of doing business and ultimately impacts consumers, the
T&T Chamber, along with other BSOs made representation
to the Ministry of Finance and received approval for the
establishment of the Joint Customs Consultative Committee
(JCCC) to address ways to improve the relationship
between Customs and Excise, Ministry of Finance and the
private sector. The JCCC also works to identify areas where
standard operating procedures are required within Customs
and Excise and areas in which increased digitisation to
improve trade facilitate can be utilised.
The Chamber also participates in the National Trade
Facilitation Committee which is chaired by the Customs and
Excise Division.
4. Combatting Illicit Trade
The Chamber has been appointed as a member of the Anti-
Illicit Trade Task Force by the MTI. The Chamber chairs the
Working Group on Alcohol and participates in the Working
Groups on Pharmaceuticals and Tobacco.
The Chamber also presented at the Illicit Trade Seminar
Report From The Trade And Business Development Unit
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