An MP has welcomed the resumption of an EXIMBANK forex window for essential items.

The announcement of the restart came via the Finance Ministry on Sunday and drew a response from Mayaro MP Rushton Paray.

The programme was launched in 2020 to meet the needs for essential imports during the COVID-19 pandemic, and MP Paray says it was a lifeline to businesses during forex shortages.

The Finance Ministry says the list of foods, pharmaceuticals, and essential hygiene products which qualified for this special forex window from 2020 to September 2024 will remain unchanged but will be subject to periodic review.

It adds that “COVID-19 pandemic-related items such as hand soap, toothpaste, face masks, deodorant, respirators, and hand sanitisers are no longer considered to be “essential” imports.”

MP Paray believes the new allocation to the facility of US$25m per month, while a US$5m reduction from the previous allocation, is a step forward in stabilizing access to essential goods.