Can't afford to 'buy Jamaican'
published: Thursday | July 31, 2003

THE EDITOR, Sir:

VERY OFTEN we are chided for our penchant for foreign goods. We are told that we must support our local industries thereby providing jobs for our fellow Jamaicans. The government has imposed tax levy in an attempt to curb the import of foreign products.

However, the harsh reality stares us starkly in the face and we are left with no alternative but to go foreign. Case in point, I recently went to the supermarket with little money (after having learnt that our pay check would not be ready until the 30th of the month). I wanted to buy some margarine and after having looked at the local products and one brand from Trinidad & Tobago, the price range was upwards of $100 for a 454g container. With very little to spend I had no alternative but to choose a foreign brand over our local product.

I love my country and would love to support the local industry, but, patriotism cannot pay the grocery bill and with a meagre 3% salary increase which is paid on the due date, what other recourse do I and others like myself have?

I am, etc.,

NOEL A. PENNANT

Spanish Town

St. Catherine

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