CABINET has granted approval for the “limited” re-start of the scrap metal trade in Guyana after closing down the industry 19 months ago.Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, told a post-Cabinet press briefing on Thursday that inspections have revealed that there is a large build-up of scrap metal, especially in Region Four, as a result of the trade being closed. As such, Cabinet green-lighted the Ministry of Business’ approval to allow exporters to ship out the existing stock for a limited period of three months.

In September 2016, Cabinet accepted the proposal of the Minister of Business, to re-start the scrap metal trade on the basis of a new menu of measures being put in place.

“The process of putting together new guidelines and regulations by the Ministry has been ongoing and the Ministry now feels that it is in a position to authorise a limited re-start to the scrap metal trade,” Minister Harmon said.

The trade was suspended on June 15, 2015, to facilitate a forensic audit.

Guyana Scrap Metal Association (GMRA) General Secretary, Michael Benjamin, had noted that since the completion of the audit in December 2015, the association has been in discussion with the Ministry of Business, given the fact that almost 1,500 persons are out of work.

Subject Minister Dominic Gaskin had said that the audit report advised that reforms be introduced into the system, including legislative amendments, new regulations, and smarter monitoring of the trade.

Benjamin said that the dealers have signalled their intention to abide by the law and to do all that is necessary to ensure that they are able to ply their trade as soon as possible.