A US$2M candy factory was officially opened on Saturday at Eccles Industrial Site, East Bank Demerara, putting ‘Kaieteur’ candies in five fruit flavours and three varieties of mint on the local market.

The company, Sueria Manufacturing Inc., also produces peanuts, and will expand its operations to cater for plantain chips and chewing gum.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Frank Sanichara, said the company is currently providing employment for over 20 persons, and their planned expansion will eventually provide hundreds of jobs.

He further noted that the factory is a 24-hour operation, and although it is almost completely automated, there is still need for persons to man the machines. Sanichara said “we are looking to market the products locally and internationally, as the work to meet international standards continues. But our first order of business is to let our people know of the product.”

Glen Lall, publisher of Kaieteur News, in remarks at the launching function, thanked President Donald Ramotar for helping to make the factory a reality. He related that the inspiration to build a candy factory surfaced after schoolchildren visited a similar factory and were denied samples. He observed that the challenges were many, but determination and hard work paid off as always.

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
During his address, President Ramotar described the investment as an example of youth entrepreneurship, and said “for a sustainable economy, it has to be rooted in production. I was excited at the investment, and advised that they should enter into contractual farming arrangements to ensure sustainable and quality supplies.”

Ramotar said a plea was made to local supermarkets to ensure that these and other locally-made products are prominently displayed and promoted. He also reiterated the need for cheaper electricity, and the urgency to build the Amaila Falls hydroelectric project, which is set to return to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Board for consideration.

The President explained that the spending by government on the social sector, of more than 30% of the National Budget, is indicative of the need to enhance local human capital.
He also outlined the gains being made in education, particularly in interior locations, as part of the government’s human capital development thrust. And the move by the company to focus on exports was also commended by the president.

ANTI-CORRUPTION BILL
Meanwhile, the President also repeated his call for support of the Anti-Moneylaundering Bill, which he described as an anti-corruption Bill, and said that he was calling “a spade a spade” when he stressed the need for the Bill’s passage. He also blasted the non-support of the opposition for many of the transformative projects which will benefit all Guyanese.

Joint CEO of Sueria Manufacturing Inc., Teshawa Lall said the new enterprise marks the culmination of an idea born years ago. Named after her daughter, Sueria, she said that every care has been taken to ensure very high standards, particularly as they face competition from the sole manufacturer who monopolized the local market for the last four decades. “We are thinking big, and we’re thinking outside the box; but most of all, we’re thinking of you.”
Brief remarks were also delivered by retired Justice Claudette Singh and acclaimed local entrepreneur, Dr Yesu Persaud, who both congratulated the owners for their investment.
The factory is owned by Frank Sanichara and his wife, Teshawna Lall, who is the daughter of the Kaieteur News publisher, Glen Lall.
Written By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally