The ministers of commerce and finance plans to meet with the Jamaica Manufacturers Association (JMA) and other stakeholders to review taxes and waivers applied to the productive sector.

Last week, following a tour of the Wisynco manufacturing plant, White Marl, St Catherine, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda said the Prime Minister had made it clear that the Minister of Finance and myself are to meet with the JMA, and other interested stakeholders, to review the whole question of tax on raw materials and capital goods and the whole issue surrounding the waivers that they are granted”.

He added that methods will be examined that will enable the Government to achieve its revenue objectives and, at the same time, make it more encouraging for the manufacturing sector, in particular, to obtain raw materials and capital goods at prices that will enable them to remain competitive.

The Government will play its part to create the type of facility that will fast track investment and not impede development, the minister said, acknowledging that the manufacturing sector employs some 80,000 Jamaicans.

The tour was part of a programme of factory tours initiated by the Mr. Samuda to underscore Government’s support for the sector and encourage investments. Some of the areas toured included the beverage and foam divisions, filler area and water treatment plant.

The touring party also included Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Reginald Budhan, and other ministry officials, executives of the Wisynco Trading Group, President of the JMA, Omar Azan, and other key personnel.