Trinidad and Tobago has backed the move by the Venezuelan Government to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Jamaica by 2009.

In a statement from Jerry Narace, Ambassador at Large for Trinidad and Tobago, the Trinidadian Government said it had advised Jamaica to approach Venezuela within the context of the PetroCaribe agreement to explore the possibility of obtaining natural gas supplies.

On March 13, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Venezuelan President Hugo Ch?vez signed a memorandum of under-standing covering the supply of 150 million cubit feet of LNG per day to Jamaica, to facilitate the expansion of power generation and the bauxite alumina sector.

Key role

The signing followed Trinidad's decision not to go ahead with a previous arrangement to supply Jamaica with the fuel.

In its statement, the Trinidadian Government said it was willing to work with Jamaica in ensuring a steady and reliable supply of LNG in the future.

The Jamaica Manufacturer's Association (JMA) recently criticised the Trinidadian Govern-ment for reneging on an agreement to supply Jamaica with LNG.

However, the Trinidadian Govern-ment said it had played a key role in advancing the regional integration process. It said on the matter of trade between the two countries Jamaican products and investments have always been welcomed into Trinidad and Tobago.

The JMA had earlier raised concerns that Jamaican manufacturer's were finding it difficult to access the Trinidadian market while that country enjoyed a US$500 million trade plus with Jamaica.