Business
Jamaica: Scrap metal trade to resume in early 2013
With the resumption of the trade, the processing of scrap metal will also now be restricted to three existing sites, two of which are situated in the Corporate Area and the central parish of Clarendon. These processing sites will operate in the interim, while the government works to establish a single central processing site for the trade.
The Industry Minister also addressed concerns that the new measures would lengthen the turnaround time for the scrap metal trade.
“My priority concern is that stolen metal does not contaminate the trade; that’s where the focus has been. These regulations have been put in place so it puts everyone on notice as to the time period involved, so you can make your plans accordingly” he said.
The Minister’s announcement was welcomed by telecommunications company LIME, which suffered great losses at the hands of scrap metal thieves.
“LIME has never been opposed to the resumption of scrap metal exports. What we want to see are the appropriate regulations in place to properly monitor the gathering and export of scrap metal,” said Vice-President of Service Support and Delivery at LIME Jamaica, Howard Mollison.
The company is said to have lost some J$300 million (US$3.2 million) to theft. -(CMC)
