Cement imported from Cuba will not attract the 15 per cent increase in price announced by the Caribbean Cement Company Limited a few weeks ago. The decision was taken at a meeting yesterday between Phillip Paulwell, the minister of industry, technology, energy and commerce, and the Caribbean Cement Company.

"Under the new arrangement, cement imported from Cuba by the Government of Jamaica and distributed by the Caribbean Cement Company Limited will not be subject to the recently announced 15 per cent price increase per bag," the ministry said in a statement yesterday. "In addition, future cement imports from Cuba, subject to any variation in shipping costs, will not attract the increased price."

The ministry also said that Paulwell is talking with the Cuban authorities to package 40,000 tonnes of the bulk cement earmarked for shipment to Jamaica. "This bagged cement will serve to ensure the availability of increased supplies of cement to the medium and smaller consumers of the product," the ministry said.