Residents of the Sister Islands will receive import duty concessions on items imported to the Brac & Little Cayman to aid in the reconstruction and refurbishment of extensively damaged homes and businesses.

Hurricane recovery on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman will benefit from a Government waiver of import duty.

Leader of Government Business Hon Kurt Tibbetts made the announcement at the weekly Cabinet press briefing on Thursday, 4 December.

Mr Tibbetts said, “Consistent with the decision made following the passage of Hurricane Ivan to grant concessions which assisted hurricane recovery efforts, on Tuesday Cabinet approved import duty concessions for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman on furniture and appliances, such as stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves and toasters.”

The import duty waiver for the Sister Islands is now in effect and will continue for six months, when the issue will be revisited by the Government.

Mr Tibbetts, who is also the Cabinet Minister with responsiblity for District Administration, said, “The normal duty rate on these items of 20% will be waived, effective 1 December 2008 through to 31 May 2009. These concessions are available to individuals as well as to businesses. At that time we will review the waiver to see if an extension is needed.”