Minister of Industry, Investments and Commerce Karl Samuda (right), makes a point to Andrene Collings, director of commerce in his ministry, prior to the start of yesterday's post sectoral debate press briefing at Jamaica House. Sharing in the occasion are Reginald Budhan (second right), the ministry's director of policy, planning and research and Stewart Stephenson, general manager, Factories Corporation of Jamaica. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

MINISTER of Industry, Investments and Commerce, Karl Samuda has warned retailers that his ministry will pressure those who fail to comply with its price stabilisation efforts.
Samuda issued the warning as he made his sectoral debate presentation in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, and reiterated the point as he answered questions at a post sectoral press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday.

"We will get to the stage where, if we find that certain retailers, especially in the area of rice where we are foregoing CET to accommodate consumers, abuse the system and continue to use their locational advantage to the detriment of the consumers, then it is our responsibility to ensure that pressure is brought to bear to have them comply," Samuda told the briefing.

On Tuesday Samuda issued an even more inclusive warning to the trade.

"Let me make it clear to all concerned that, whilst I am a disciple of the market, irresponsible behaviour by any distributor, wholesaler or retailer that jeopardises the welfare of the consumers will not be tolerated. I have the JCTC and the Trade Act in my arsenal, and will not hesitate to exercise any provision in order to protect the consumer, if necessary. Make no mistake about that," he told Parliament.

He said that the government had achieved its objective of overall price stabilisation, and would now move to a more targeted approach.

He said that this approach not only involved the expansion of the PATH programme to accommodate over 100,000 persons considered most vulnerable but outside the social safety net, but also the reactivation of the Jamaica Commodity Trading Company (JCTC) which has been winding down for several years now.

The JCTC was established as a government-owned trading company to facilitate improved distribution of goods within the Jamaican market and, in many instances, functioned as the sole importer of a number of items, including rice and flour. However, following a sustained period of unprofitable business performance in the 1990s, as well as the opening up of the local market to facilitate the general importation of most goods, the previous Government had decided to wind up its operations.

Efforts have been continuing to put in place arrangements for the full and final closure of the company, but Samuda said Tuesday that the process will be halted and reversed

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