Karl Samuda, minister of industry and commerce has, in an apparent concession to Caribbean Cement Limited, pulled back on his late August decision to allow cement importers duty-free access to 20 per cent of the market, offering them 15 per cent instead.

The decision cuts the concession to importers to 120,000 tonnes of cement.

Initially, the minister had said he was prepared to waive the 15 per cent CET on 170,000 tonnes of imports for another year, a decision that riled monopoly producer Caribbean Cement Company.

The Rockfort-based operation which has just concluded a US$177 million expansion of the plant, says it needs unfettered access to the market to recoup the investment made.

Latest decision

Its goal is 100 per cent of the market. But Samuda's latest decision hands it a quota of 85 per cent, putting the company in line with the market share it reported last year - 84 per cent.

The industry ministry estimates that cement demand will be in the region of 850,000 tonnes in the next year.

Samuda also used the press conference to warn importers that Jamaica would not tolerate any dumping of cement.

Caribbean Cement has, in the past brought several anti-dumping complaints to the Anti-Dumping and subsidies Commission - all of which it won - pertaining to cheap Portland Grey cement out of Asia.

Last month, the cement maker filed another complaint, saying Vulcan cement out of the United States was being traded here at "below fair market" prices.

The company in its release did not name the company involved, but Tank-Weld Group is the only known, importer and distributor of Vulcan cement.

Tank-Weld, which says it trades in the Type IS blend, has denied selling dumped cement and promises a vigorous fight.

Samuda said Tuesday he would not tolerate dumping in this market.

"Any suggestion of dumping will be investigated by the Anti-Dumping Commission ... and if cases are found, then appropriate measures will be taken to protect the local producer," he stressed.

The minister's decision to extend the waiver on cement will have to get the green light from Caricom's trade body, the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED, before implementation.

The application is expected to be considered at the next COTED meting on October 8 in Barbados.

dionne.rose@gleanerjm.