KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Karl Samuda has successfully negotiated the re-entry of Jamaican patties into the Belizean market.

A news release from the ministry said Wednesday that Jamaican exporters were experiencing challenges with exporting beef and poultry patties to Belize, despite a decision of the Caricom Council for Trade and Development (COTED) giving approval for the export of Jamaican patties to all Caricom member States.

The ministry said the decision to allow the entry of Jamaican patties into Belize, without impediment, was taken during bilateral talks with Belize’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce Tracey Panton in Guyana last week.

Following the meeting, Minister Samuda said he was pleased with the outcome of the talks as Belize remains an export market of interest to Jamaica.

“It’s a positive step that I am sure our patty manufacturers will welcome,” said Samuda.

Samuda was in Guyana for the 43rd meeting of Caricom’s Council for Trade and Development.