Prime Minister Bruce Golding (standing) addresses individuals during the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) workshop at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston, yesterday. The workshop was attended by several key players in the private and public sectors. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

The Bakers Association of Jamaica (BAJ) is seeking a meeting with the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) as part of its plans to achieve solutions in minimising the production cost of bread.

Gerry Chambers, BAJ president, told The Gleaner yesterday that, in addition to JPS, the bakery group was hoping to meet with local suppliers of raw materials used in manufacturing the staple.

"(We are) trying to find out what the other companies are facing as their critical issues so we can present a proposal to the Government to get duty relief off certain items which will decrease the cost of production of bread," said Chambers.

The BAJ said next week contact would be made with JPS and raw material suppliers to ascertain the best possible time for a meeting.

Since the Government provided a price support programme on the cost of baking flour, the BAJ has claimed that the cost of wheat has increased by 10 per cent.

The Government has promised to review the taxes and duties applied to the importation of raw material to produce bakery commodities.