Regional Body Looks Forward to Monitoring Mechanism For Sugar Producers

The Sugar Association of the Caribbean says it applauds the terms of reference for the Monitoring Mechanism for Sugar (MMS) approved at the recent meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development. SACS says when the MMS is implemented, it will ensure that when extra-regional imports of refined sugar are being contemplated, regional producers are given the opportunity to prove that they are able to supply the quantities and specifications. Only if regional suppliers are unable to meet demand would Member States be authorized to exempt the payment of the Common External Tariff on sugar from non-CARICOM sources. SACS says this is a key incentive for regional sugar producers to continue investment in value-added products, with the confidence that they will have a home in their own regional market.