Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Karl Samuda, recently tabled a ministry paper in the House of Representatives, paving the way for new trade regulations to be introduced for the scrap metal industry.

Scrap metal was removed from the list of items requiring an export licence in 1992, but based on recent developments in the industry it has become necessary to again regulate the sector.

According to Samuda, the main elements of the regulations include licensing of exporters and dealers within the scrap metal industry, and the issuing of export licences based on on-site inspection of the loading of containers by the Jamaica Customs officers.

Also included are activities and actions that are to be implemented by key stakeholders such as Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI), Trade Board Limited, Jamaica Constabulary Force and Jamaica Customs Department.

The JTI, Samuda said, "will ensure that all scrap metal exporters are registered with them. As part of the regulation process, proposed container loading site(s) must be approved by the JTI."

Customs brokers who do not own or operate processing facilities for the export of scrap metal, will not be registered to export scrap metal products.