SUGAR INDUSTRY INQUIRY COMMISSION
c/o The Sugar Industry Authority
5 Trevennion Park Road Kingston 5
E-mail: secretary.sugarcommission @yahoo.com
c/o The Sugar Industry Authority
5 Trevennion Park Road Kingston 5
E-mail: secretary.sugarcommission @yahoo.com
Prof. Alvin WintAlvin Wint is Professor of International Business and Pro Vice Chancellor of...
Marjorie HenriquesMrs. Henriques is a former Director of the Planning Institute of Jamaica with...
Wilfred Baghaloo Mr. Wilfred Baghaloo is a Director in the Transactions and Crisis Management...
The changing dynamics of the sugar market worldwide has propelled the establishment of a Commission to inquire into the regulatory, institutional and pricing arrangements in the Jamaican sugar sector. The Commission’s review will guide the modernization of the sector so as to guarantee its sustainability and improve competitiveness against countries that have highly invested in and diversified sugar cane production.
Improvement in production and reorganization of management systems are critical to the industry’s survival because Jamaica, like other African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), no longer benefit from the LOME and Cotonou Agreements that had guaranteed markets in Europe. Moreover since 2005 the European Union has been systematically reducing the price of its sugar imports from the ACP compelling these countries to devise an Adaptation Strategy.
The Adaptation Strategy of Jamaica primarily looks at privatizing the industry to provide the management acumen and the investments required to ensure a profitable and viable industry. By minimizing government control and focusing on diversification of the cane sugar products, it is anticipated that there will be an emergence of new value-added products.
Maximizing the earning potential of and the restructuring of the industry are of importance on a wider socio-economic platform due to high employment - 35,000 people directly and indirectly over 100,000 - within the sector. Consequently efforts to retool factories, improve field operations, increase yield and develop efficient production systems must engage a wide spectrum of stakeholders and seek out diverse propositions of the way forward. The Sugar Industry Inquiry Commission will therefore be conducting hearings to solicit recommendations from stakeholders and the general public, in respect of changes to the current regulatory, legislative and marketing arrangements.
The Commission will present its recommendations to the Government by September 30, 2010.
Maximizing the earning potential of and the restructuring of the industry are of importance on a wider socio-economic platform due to high employment - 35,000 people directly and indirectly over 100,000 - within the sector. Consequently efforts to retool factories, improve field operations, increase yield and develop efficient production systems must engage a wide spectrum of stakeholders and seek out diverse propositions of the way forward. The Sugar Industry Inquiry Commission will therefore be conducting hearings to solicit recommendations from stakeholders and the general public, in respect of changes to the current regulatory, legislative and marketing arrangements.
The Commission will present its recommendations to the Government by September 30, 2010.
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