CARICOM to assess regional supply of paints, cement, and bitumen

Four CARICOM assessment teams are scheduled to meet between October 12 and 27 to evaluate the Caribbean region's capacity to meet internal demand for paints, hydraulic cement, glass bottles, and bitumen.

The findings from these technical teams will serve as critical inputs for regional trade ministers when deciding on future tariff treatments for these specific products. The assessments aim to examine regional production and supply levels, the competitiveness of intra-regional trade compared to extra-regional imports, and the impact of the Common External Tariff, non-tariff barriers, and logistics costs.

Coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat, the teams include technical representatives from various Member States. The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission and the CARICOM Private Sector Organization have also been invited to participate. The process will include a review of how the Community’s Rules of Origin criteria apply to the products to determine eligibility for preferential treatment.