Source: jamaicaobserver.com
Guyana’s president, Bharrat Jagdeo, says that there has been a breakdown in communication resulting in the recent rice trade dispute between his country and Jamaica.
“We are not aware that there is a shortage of rice in Guyana,” Jagdeo said during a press conference held at the presidential offices in Georgetown, Guyana on Tuesday.
In fact, Jagdeo hinted at nefarious reasons for the recent crisis between the two countries. “There are emails from Jamaica to Guyanese producers that say they should not supply rice to Jamaica. I would also say that efforts were not made by Jamaica to determine the levels of rice that is available in Jamaica.”
Over 85 per cent of rice consumed in Jamaica comes from Guyana in the form of whiteor parboiled rice. On August 30th, it was reported that the price of rice supplied by Guyana increased by three per cent, from J$16 per pound to J$18 per pound. This price increase was attributed to the August 19th passage of Hurricane Ivan, which reportedly sent up the cost of shipping to Jamaica and reduced supplies of rice. In response, Commerce Minister, Karl Samuda gave Jamaican importers the green light to import rice from Louisiana in the United States.
Guyana immediately appealed to the Caricom secretariat. “Our argument,” President Jagdeo stated, “is that once you are part of a collective, there is a procedure that countries follow. Jamaica did not follow that process.”
Jagdeo also argued that, “American rice is not competing fairly with Caricom. US rice is heavily subsised.”
Speaking on radio last week, Samuda noted that rice in Guyana had skyrocketed from US$20 per bag to over US$47 per bag and that Jamaican consumers should not have to bear that price.
Even so, Jagdeo noted that the ongoing issue is a matter of communication.
“Jamaica has been a very good customer of Guyana and has complied over the years with Caricom’s trade treaty. Now that there is a new government, we have to communicate with them.”
In an effort to smooth relations, Jamaica will send State Minister Michael Stern to visit with Guyanese rice producers and government officials next week.
When asked if this matter had damaged regional relations, Jagdeo replied, “I will not elevate the issue into a problem with regional integration.
Caricom is working and is alive and well.”
