MINISTER OF INDUSTRY Donville Inniss has pledged that Government will look into claims that Trinidad was passing off T-shirts made in Dominican Republic as its own.
He was speaking after a tour of River Bay Trading, Wildey Industrial Park, St Michael, during which managing director Ian Pickup raised the concern.
“Having heard this concern today I am giving the assurance that, as a matter of urgency, I would have the officers in my ministry contact the comparable authority in Trinidad, present whatever evidence we have and request cooperation and response from our counterparts in Trinidad,” Inniss said.
Pickup charged that Trinidad was importing shirts made in the Dominican Republic cheaply, changing the labels and reselling them to Barbados, thereby causing unfair competition.
However, Inniss said he had no intention of charging into battle as the matter had to be handled in a diplomatic fashion.
“Let us not prejudge anybody. I am not saying that Trinidad has done anything wrong. Let us have an open mind and be very respectful of these things.
“It must be done in a diplomatic way – we are not going to go out there hot and sweaty and make accusations because, next thing you know, similar concerns may suddenly be raised about Barbadian goods going into Trinidad as well.
“These are administrative matters that we will quietly and diplomatically resolve between those who are the competent authority to do such,” he said. (CA)
