The Prices and Consumer Affairs Division is actively overseeing local supermarkets to ensure that consumers reap the benefits of the government’s temporary suspension of the Common External Tariff (CET) on essential food items. Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, emphasized this during the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday. He confirmed that the suspension is already in effect, stating, ‘It is in place. Individuals should have already started to see some decrease in the cost of those items. The tariffs have been removed.’
When questioned about the readiness of consumer protection officials to verify compliance, Merchant assured that they are fully equipped. ‘They were the first to be notified of the reduction as this came through the Ministry of Trade. They are aware and they are monitoring,’ he explained. He further noted that the impact of this policy will be reflected in upcoming monthly reports. ‘We should see some reporting during the next cycle of monthly reports that we get from these divisions as it relates to the lifting of the CET on these items,’ he added.
The Cabinet’s decision to remove import tariffs on key goods was aimed at alleviating the cost-of-living pressures. Officials have also pledged to take corrective measures if retailers fail to pass on the savings to consumers.