Williams Signals Review of Sweetened-Drink SCT After Pepsi-Cola Kingston Visit

Minister of Finance Fayval Williams has indicated that the Government intends to revisit recently introduced Special Consumption Tax (SCT) provisions that apply to sweetened beverages.

She raised the matter during a recent visit to the Pepsi-Cola Jamaica manufacturing plant in Kingston, part of continuing consultations between State officials and the manufacturing sector on how the new levy should operate.

The SCT, charged at $0.22 for each gram of added sugar, took effect on May 1.

Mrs. Williams said the tour would help her team tighten industry guidelines so production can continue without disruption while the Government secures the revenues it says are collected on behalf of the Jamaican people.