- Guyana could satisfy region’s refined sugar needs by 2027
President Dr. Irfaan Ali said Guyana’s refined sugar might replace imports in the region when a sugar refinery is built in Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
“By the end of 2027, we will be able to supply all the refined sugar products the region requires and imports right now,” the Guyanese Head of State said Saturday during the XII Annual Consultation with Caribbean Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank.
A private investor is developing the refinery at the Enmore Sugar Estate, one of the sugar estates closed by the last APNU+AFC government, the President revealed weeks ago.
President Ali noted that Guyana wants to produce more food and trade more in the Caribbean Community beyond sugar.
Guyana leads CARICOM’s quasi-cabinet on food security and nutrition, and all countries support its target of reducing expensive extra-regional food imports by 25% by 2025.
President Ali assured the IDB consultation that Guyana will be self-sufficient in maize, soya and beans. The country should be able to export more of these products and serve the area by 2026.
During the opening ceremony, IDB President Ilan Goldfajn said the Bank was committed to helping countries meet their food security goals. Since they care about this goal, President Ali pushed the Bank to approve projects faster.
