MINISTER of Industry, Commerce and Investment Karl Samuda has assured importers of Guyanese rice that he will work earnestly to avoid any shortfall in the local market, even if it means importing the staple from outside of Caricom.

This comes after days of claims and counterclaims between Kingston and Georgetown, triggered by Jamaica’s decision to import rice from the United States to fill what Samuda’s ministry said was a shortage of rice imports from Guyana.

In a meeting with Samuda last Thursday, six major importers of Guyanese rice said they had received 355 tonnes of rice for September compared to the usual 2,466 tonnes per month.

Jamaica Rice Milling, which usually imports 2,000 tonnes per month, received no supplies in September.

Under Caricom rules, goods and services must be sourced intra-regionally by member states subject to availability and special tariff restrictions by that body. The importers at Thursday’s meeting have asked for a suspension of the Caricom tariff arrangement over the next quarter to allow for importation of rice from outside the region.

The importers said, however, that 456 tonnes of rice have been promised by Guyana to be delivered shortly. Samuda said the ministry would continue to review the situation and act according to the rules of Caricom, while serving the national interest.

On Wednesday, Samuda is expected to meet with Guyana’s agriculture minister Robert Persaud to discuss the matter.