Cabinet has agreed to the suspension of the quota and registration system for cement.

This announcement comes today from the Trade Ministry, which says the decision follows its monitoring of market conditions in the cement industry and the recent announcement by Trinidad Cement Limited of its intention to raise the price of cement.

TCL says effective February 19th 2024, there will be a 6.63% increase for Premium Plus and 7.69% for its Eco Cement.

This price adjustment is the 4th by TCL in the last 26 months.

The Ministry says Government’s decision was based on balancing the following dual considerations:

(i) Availability of Affordable Cement- cement forms a critical linkage between the manufacturing and construction sectors and is therefore vital for the country’s sustainable development. There are several large-scale projects which will be adversely affected but moreso, the availability of affordable cement to consumers is of paramount importance.

(ii) Viability of the Local Cement Industry- the cement industry is one of the pillars of the non-energy sector and contributes to the overall economy. The local manufacturer is a major exporter of Building Cement; net foreign exchange earner; and a major employer.

New Arrangements for the Importation of Cement

The Ministry says the Quota and Registration System for Cement was instituted on January 1st 2021, with an initial ceiling of 75,000 tonnes of cement allowed for import.

In 2022, the maximum quota ceiling for cement allowed for importation was increased to 150,000 tonnes.

This ceiling remained in effect in 2023.

With the Suspension of the Quota and Registration System there will be no Quota on the volume of cement allowed for import.

The Ministry says cement remains on the Import Negative List and will continue to be subject to a licensing regime.

This Regime will be non-automatic and applications for a licence to import cement must be submitted to the Minister of Trade and Industry with the requirements that applicants inter alia:

(i) are registered under the Companies Act;

(ii) have adequate and appropriate warehousing facilities for the safe and reliable storage of imported cement;

(iii) have an established distribution network; and

(iv) must ensure that all imported cement meets the relevant CARICOM Regional Product Standards.

Imported cement will in the interim, continue to be subject to a 20% Common External Tariff (CET) rate of duty.

The Ministry adds that it will meet with TCL after which it will recommend further policy adjustments inclusive of a review of the CET on cement, if necessary, in the national interest.