Jamaica should demand fair trade with Trinidad - Samuda

Former industry minister, Karl Samuda, has declared that Jamaica should make it clear to Trinidad and Tobago that Jamaica will not continue to accept its goods with nothing in return.



The North Central St. Andrew Member of Parliament, who served as the country’s industry and commerce minister between 2007 and 2011, was making his contribution to the 2012-2013 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives.



He said Jamaica has not been benefiting from its membership in CARICOM and suggested that the country leave the bloc of Caribbean member states.



During his presentation, he noted a recent development in the energy sector in which Port of Spain appeared to have snubbed Jamaica.



Samuda pointed to an article in a Barbados newspaper which stated that the twin-island republic has entered into an arrangement to supply Barbados with the liquefied natural gas (LNG).



Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago signed a memorandum of understanding in November 2004 for the supply of 1.1 million tonnes of LNG per annum over a 20-year period.



However, the arrangements never materialised as Trinidad said it did not have enough to supply.



Recently a decision was reached for the reopening of discussions for the supply of LNG from Trinidad and Tobago to Jamaica.



However adamant that Jamaica does not appear to be benefiting from CARICOM, Samuda said the time was running out on Jamaica to make a decision.



Jamaica’s trade deficit with Trinidad stood at over US$660 million at the end of last year.



Last night, Industry and Commerce Minister Anthony Hylton said Jamaica continues to have dialogue with its CARICOM partners to find a solution to the problems.



He said the discussions are focused on free movement and energy.



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