THERE are some fundamental things you learn in life including adapting to changes and changing in order to fit into the world. This is something that applies to everything in life including the business sector and the economy. Those who manage the economy and businesses have to find ways of ensuring their businesses and the various sectors remain relevant and viable.
The same goes for our sugar industry, one of the main pillars of this economy and although some may believe that since sugar is such an integral part in our economy and daily lives that there may be no need to change, the fact remains that the time has come for serious changes.
Some fringe elements are bent on misrepresenting the facts to the Guyanese people to instill fear and hatred and create uncertainty about the future of sugar in Guyana but the government has time and again reiterated its commitment to the sugar industry and has shown in its many programmes, policies and projects that it will continue to invest in the sector.
Having lost preferential treatment on the market, the time came for Guyana to look at other ways of remaining viable and the need for value added products in this sector became stronger. The modernisation of the Skeldon Sugar Factory is part of a larger process of reforming the industry to deal with the decline in prices after the preferential treatment was pulled.
Unfortunately, some seem to ignore this fact and try to paint a sordid picture. Sugar has and continues to be an important part of Guyana’s economy and employs thousands, directly and indirectly. Everything takes time, and it is unfair to expect to reap benefits from anything immediately after it has been put into operation.
Over the years there have been many investments and interventions in the sugar industry and this will continue to ensure the viability of the sector. Guyana is progressing in so many ways, yet the naysayers try to corrupt the minds of persons out there but I am sure that they can judge for themselves where Guyana is going.