More Energy Saving Devices Duty Free

Fourteen additional energy efficiency and renewable energy devices can now be imported into Jamaica duty free.

This follows the suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) on these items by the Council for Trade and Econom­ic Development (COTED).

Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2013/14 Budget Debate recently, in the House of Representatives.

“This administration also removed General Consumption Tax (GCT) from a compre­hensive list of items, including wind turbines, solar cells, panels and tubes, solar water pump­ing systems, occupancy sensors, photovoltaic(PV) batteries, light-emitting diode(LEDs), inverters and many more,” he said.

The Minister said the Government recognises that the cost of renewable energy remains high, particularly for small businesses and households, and the removal of the duty will make it easier for Jamaicans to access these energy saving devices.

Mr. Paulwell stressed that the administration’s commitment to developing energy efficiency and renewable energy markets in Jamaica is signalled by continuing policy and legislative review.

By Alecia Smith-Edwards, JIS Reporter