Susan Gordon, Staff Reporter
AS OF August 1 this year, import tariffs and the General Consumption Tax will be lifted from key energy saving devices.
Lifting levies on the 30 devices, excluding solar water heaters, is part of the ministry's energy policy to promote energy conservation in Jamaica and reduce the country's oil bill, says Minister of Industry, Technology, Energy and Commerce, Philip Paulwell in his sectoral debate presentation in Gordon House yesterday. He said Jamaica was blocked in its bid to get tariffs removed from solar water heaters in Caricom negotiations.
The devices include compact fluorescent lamps, water saving shower heads, photovoltaic panels and flow restrictors for water faucets.
"This initiative is going to result in loss of taxation revenue to the Government estimated at $487 million per annum," said Mr. Paulwell. "However, if the public aggressively seizes the opportunity from the lower cost investments, significant reduction in our bill and foreign exchange cost will accrue," he added.
In 2005 Jamaica's oil bill was U$1.3 billion and reflected a six per cent increase over 2004.
