Director-General of the Tax Administration Department, Clive
Nicholas (centre), responds to queries from participants at a recent meeting to
update members of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ) on the modernisation
of customs and the reform of tax administration programmes. The meeting took place
at the SAJ office complex on Wednesday March 12. Others in the photo from left
are Pauline Gray, General Manager of SAJ and Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Michelle
Williams. - Contributed
THE SHIPPING Association of Jamaica (SAJ), in the wake of the United States-led war against Iraq, has stressed that the shipping industry is taking "a business as usual approach".
In a statement last Friday, SAJ President, Harry Maragh, said: "SAJ is adopting a business as usual approach at this time", but noted that all stakeholders had contingency plans in the event of an extended war.
Conceding that it is difficult to predict if Jamaica's seaports will experience any downturn in trade as a result of the war at this time, Mr. Maragh noted that the likely outcome could be higher operating costs such as fuel, security and insurance, resulting in higher freight costs.
"The US represents the world's largest importer and Iraq, a major oil exporter. Any sustained war can significantly spiral major oil price increase and affect the smooth flow of goods on the economic trade routes and this could possibly push the world further into a recession," Mr. Maragh emphasised.
Based on previous experiences during Desert Storm, he said although there is the potential for increased transhipment traffic through the Port of Kingston as a result of possible diversions in trade routes, "the industry is playing a wait and see game".
Jamaica experienced additional cruise ship calls in 1990s Operation Dessert Storm, and the industry is prepared for such an eventuality if this reoccurs during this war, as the Caribbean continues to be viewed by the travel industry as a safe place for tourist and business travellers alike.
