THE Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCC) will soon be able to import and export cement from its pier at Rockfort, East Kingston, says Minister of Industry, Commerce and Technology, Karl Samuda.

The minister told a post-cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Tuesday that the company will be importing 18,000 tonnes of cement from the Dominican Republic and Colombia, between Sunday and mid-October, to shore up its production.

“This will provide the CCCL with the flexibility in imports and enable the company to use its regional network to supplement local production,” he said.

The minister said that the necessary security precautions have also been taken.

“In that regard, I have written to the minister of national security to ask that he monitors, closely, all shipments coming into Jamaica and leaving Jamaica, to ensure that not only is Jamaica protected, but that we fulfil our obligations, with respect to our regional partners, in ensuring that no contamination of shipments or, for that matter, the export of any other substance leaves our shores,” he said.

Samuda also announced that after meeting with the Cuban ambassador to Jamaica, arrangements were made for a Jamaican team to meet with CEMVID, the Cuban cement company, for the importation of 5,000 tonnes of cement per month from Havana between October 12 and the end of December.

The Port Authority of Jamaica will be responsible for the importations from Cuba. Cemex, the Mexican producer, has also assured the government of its support.

According to Samuda, he has assurances that private importers will bring in 65,000 tonnes, CCCL 18,000 tonnes and Cuba will provide 15,000 tonnes. Added to CCCL’s production of some 210,000 tonnes, the total up to December will be approximatelty 338,000 tonnes to satisfy a projected demand of 245,000 tonnes for the period.