Jamaica bans export of steel scrap, Kenya calls for

Archiv – In reaction to skyrocketing levels of theft of public and private metal supplies such as manhole covers, bridge metals and scrap marked for export, the government of Jamaica has banned exporting scrap metals. Jamaica/Kenya | In reaction to skyrocketing levels of theft of public and private metal supplies such as manhole covers, bridge metals and scrap marked for export, the government of Jamaica has banned exporting scrap metals.
’We are receiving reports of unprecedented levels of theft of scrap metals in the country,’ Industry Minister Karl Samuda told the parliament, ‘€˜The order will stop all exports of scrap metal until a complete assessment of the trade is undertaken.’€™ The Jamaica Exporters’ Association says the country exported US$99.58 million in scrap metals last year, up from US$13.3 million in 2005. Another Caribbean country, Guyana, has banned scrap metal exports half a year ago.
In Africa, the demand to ban exports is growing in some countries. Like Kenya where locally, crooks have taken to plundering Telkom Kenya and Kenya Power & Lighting Company investments worth billions of Kenyan shillings, in the process cutting off customers. Telecom provider Telkom Kenya says it lost Sh500 million (US$ 7.5 million) last year as a result.
Kenyan utility companies plea for a total ban on the export of scrap metal. ‘€˜Kenya is not a producer of these metals and any attempt to justify the exports defies logic. True, some scrap metal can be legally exported, but this should not be used to condone economic sabotage,’€™ an official says , ‘€˜We urge the government to impose a total ban on such exports, a move that will be in the wider public interest.’€™
Almost needless to say, this is because the surging demand in the booming economies of Asia can withstand the slightly higher costs. For instance, demand in China in the last nine months has doubled.