REGIONAL: Grenada experiencing cement shortage

SOURCE: CMC – Grenada is seeking permission from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to be allowed to import cement from outside of the region because the main supplier in Trinidad and Tobago is not exporting product because of reduced business activities linked to containing and controlling the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the neighbouring CARICOM country.

The twin island republic has been in a state of lockdown with limited movement for the past 12 months and St. George’s says the implementation of construction projects, both in the public and private sector, is part of the post COVID-19 plan to rehabilitate the local economy.

The government has already tabled its Recovery Plan in the Parliament.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell sid his administration is seeking to deal with the shortage by importing from extra-regional markets.

“We still believe that construction is key to the recovery and any problem that we are having there must be corrected, that is why we sought and most likely received support from the regional institution to proceed and buy cement extra-regional,” he said.

“I did not mention the problem of materials for construction, we need to have more than one quarry and more than one asphalt plant which will give you further opportunity for supply in those areas,” he told reporters.

The Prime Minister did not reveal the names of the companies or organizations that are seeking to import the cement but indicated that several applications were submitted. In 2004, Grenada, in the aftermath of hurricane Ivan also had to seek permission to import cement from outside of the region.