News Briefs

GG congratulates Harry, Meghan on royal baby's birth

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen yesterday congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan on the birth of their baby boy.

“We are pleased at the news that the Duchess had a safe delivery and is now resting comfortably," they said in a letter sent to Buckingham Palace. "The miracle of birth is a precious gift that the Creator has given, and we share your joy at this happy occasion. On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica, please convey our sincere congratulations to Their Royal Highnesses, and we wish them many years of happy parenting.”

Baby Sussex, the couple's first child, was born yesterday. His name has not yet been revealed.

 

 

Jamaica granted CET suspension on lithium ion batteries

The Caribbean Community Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) has accepted Jamaica’s application to suspend the Common External Tariff (CET) on lithium ion batteries for two years.

The application was put forward by Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries State Minister Floyd Green, who led a Jamaican delegation to the COTED meeting in Guyana last week. Lithium-ion batteries are used in laptops, PDAs, cell phones and iPods among other devices. They have high energy density and low maintenance.

According to the ministry, the move is in line with the government’s aim to foster the increased use of renewable energy in Jamaica, and that Green made a presentation, which sought to enable players in the renewable energy market to have lithium ion batteries enter Jamaica at a reduced cost.

 

 

St Vincent PM defends Rainforest tax concessions

KINGSTOWN (CMC):

The St Vincent and the Grenadines government has defended the decision to grant a 15-year tax break and other concessions to a Jamaica-based firm, Rainforest Seafood SVG Ltd, that has promised to invest EC$10 million (approximately J$500 million) in a fish processing facility.

“I just want to say that almost all the concessions given to Rainforest Seafoods are concessions given to manufacturers in this country and to hoteliers, people who invest,” Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said.

A November14, 2018 Cabinet memo shows that the government has agreed that no taxes or withholding of any kind whatsoever will be levied on Rainforest Seafoods’ income, profits and capital gains for 15 years, which begins when the company informs the government in writing of the commencement of its commercial operation.

The memo notes that no customs duties, value-added taxes or duties will be imposed on any building, materials and finishing, fixtures, fittings, plant, machinery, equipment, tools, spare parts, and construction equipment imported during the construction phase of the project.

Gonsalves said that there were persons commenting on the initiative because his administration had not approved their application to operate the existing fisheries facility at Calliaqua, which is being administered by a fisheries cooperative.