T&T Bajans refuse T&T goods over fishing dispute

T&T goods were rejected by Barbados importers yesterday, less than a day after trade threats from Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur.

The disclosure was made yesterday by Manufacturers’ Association president Anthony Hosang, who said this was the first sign of fallout from the no-Caricom privileges policy adopted by the Barbados Government.

“A couple of members indicated their companies’ importers in Barbados are reluctant to allow them to ship any containers because they are not sure what is the situation,” Hosang said.

Among them was Associated Brands Industries Ltd, one of the largest exporters to Barbados and the rest of the region.

“There was some difficulty clearing our containers this morning, which was unusual, but after some intervention by the Ministry of Trade in Trinidad we’ve been assured they will be cleared tomorrow morning,” an ABIL official said yesterday.

There is also this which claims that, under the Caricom treaty, Barbados cannot refuse the goods.

Then, there is Caricom's offer to mediate the dispute