Jamaica gives assurances to implement EPA agreements

KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government says it has given approval for the necessary amendments to be made to the Customs Act as the island implements the tariff liberalisation aspect of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between the Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) countries and the European Union in 2008. The tariff liberalisation will be phased over 25 years with reductions occurring biennially until 2033 and a government statement said that Cabinet gave approval for the necessary amendments to be made to the Customs Act in order to give formal effect to the implementation of the phased tariff reductions. It said in the interim, the Ministry of Finance and Planning had last September issued instructions for the immediate commencement of the first phase of the tariff reductions as outlined in the Schedules attached to the EPA.