A spokesman for Caribbean Cement Company says import supplies to ease the current shortage are expected by December 15. However, the supplies will not be disbursed to the market immediately as they will have to undergo at least three days of testing by the Bureau of Standards.

Last month the management of Caribbean Cement confirmed that it will be importing cement over the next four months in order to address the chronic shortage of the product on the local market. General Manager of the company, Anthony Haynes said 40,000t of cement will have to be imported from Barbados. He says 16,000t will be imported this month and the balance in the first quarter of next year. Caribbean Cement has also given the assurance that the added costs from import tariffs will not be passed on to consumers.