KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Developments related to export markets for sugar in the post-2017 period are expected to be discussed during the 45th Annual International Sugar Organization (ISO) Council conference, scheduled for the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, in Montego Bay, St. James, from May 27 to 29.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Roger Clarke, who spoke at the conference’s media launch, on Wednesday (April 16), at the Ministry’s offices in St Andrew, explained that while Jamaica will still have duty-free and quota-free access for sugar in the export market after 2017, “there will be no price guarantee.”

Clarke said that, currently, the European Union (EU) is offering other sugar producing countries the same duty-free and quota-free access under various bilateral and other regional trade agreements.

“These market changes in the European Union will mean greater competition for Jamaica from other lower-cost producers. Jamaica must, therefore, urgently turn its attention to exploiting the possibilities in the regional market for both raw and refined sugar, as well as increasing our productivity. This conference must address these imperatives,” Clarke said.     

The three-day conference, which is being held in Jamaica and the Caribbean for the first time, is expected to be attended by over 100 delegates from 40 countries.

Representatives include Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji, and the ISO Council’s Immediate Past Chairman, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, as well as government ministers from Guatemala, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.