Lindsay Mackoon, Gleaner WriterPORT OF SPAIN:
JAMAICA, NOW shopping for the best possible price, has been invited to Trinidad and Tobago for discussions on the supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to that CARICOM state, Energy Minister Eric Williams confirmed.
"The door is open and it is up to them, " said the minister.
According to Williams, officials from Jamaica have been invited to hold discussions with Trinidad's state-run National Gas Company (NGC) on the matter. But pricing remains an issue.
He said his ministry was hopeful the Jamaican Government can get together with the NGC and develop a memorandum of understanding, which would see Trinidad's Atlantic LNG plant at Point Fortin in Southwest Trinidad supplying Jamaica.
Prime Minister Patrick Manning said recently that Trinidad could not sell LNG to Jamaica if that country was unwilling to purchase it at world prices.
But, Williams told reporters on Thursday, his Government was willing to discuss pricing, particularly since there are advantages to both countries.
Jamaica is said to be looking at LNG supply options from Algeria , Nigeria, and Middle Eastern countries for its own industry and power generation needs.
Calling for more dialogue, Williams stressed co-operation between Trinidad and Jamaica would further the concept of regional integration and assist CARICOM. However, he stressed: "But if at the end of the day, we are not the lowest price provider, then they (Jamaica) will take it elsewhere."
Jamaican Government officials could not be reached for comment last night.
