KINGSTON, Jamaica – Businessman Claude Clarke, in defence of Jamaican manufacturing, said last Thursday that Jamaica should suspend the Common External Tariff, no matter the legal consequences.
His appeal comes amid rumblings from critics of Caricom who want Jamaica to break away from the bloc, citing unfair competition especially from oil-economy Trinidad.
“It is time for the Jamaican Government to assert its sovereign authority and suspend the Common External Tariff of CARICOM, at least for the duration of the IMF programme,” said Clarke, managing director of Richmond Valley Company, speaking as guest speaker at the Jamaica Manufacturers' Association (JMA) annual awards banquet in New Kingston.
