BY SHERRY ANN SINGH Trinidad Guardian

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.

However, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Valley denied there was any change in trade relations between Barbados and T&T.

He said reports that an ABIL shipment was held up at the Barbados port because Customs officers demanded the payment of surcharges were mere rumours.

"I have spoken with Barbados and believe me, there is no problem. There is no situation to treat with," Valley said.

He maintained that Barbados fishermen in T&T waters are treated according to the law.

"If our goods are treated in the same manner there should be no problem," he said.

In business circles, however, there continued to be concerns over the Barbados Government's decision on Monday to suspend all Caricom privileges on goods entering that country from T&T.

Barbados made the decision in an apparent retaliation against the arrest of two Bajan fishermen last week, the culmination of a decade-long fishing dispute between the islands.

"We are very alarmed and concerned by the decision by Prime Minister Arthur and hope for a speedy resolution," T&T Chamber vice president Christian Mouttet said.

He said his own company, Vemco Ltd, was at risk of being caught in the trade war.

"Barbados is a significant market for us and for most Trinidadian manufacturers, so we hope they can resolve the matter in a way that it will benefit both sides," Mouttet said.

"It must be fair and not based on perceived threats to our manufacturers."

A meeting scheduled to take place yesterday with the business community did not come off as planned.

Hosang warned there would be no winners if the fishing dispute between the islands is allowed to escalate.

"The path being pursued, therefore, is a very dangerous one and can have significant negative effects on the relations and economies of both countries," he said.

Hosang said the threats to apply increased duties to products manufactured in T&T were "very serious."

He said Prime Minister Arthur was using the trade imbalance in goods between T&T and Barbados as leverage in the ongoing fishing negotiations.

Hosang said the TTMA strongly supports the terms and conditions of the Caricom Treaty which governs trade in the region.

However, he said he had discussed the matter with Valley and was satisfied with Government's response to the problem.

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