MEMBERS of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) met in Barbados on 09th and 10th June 2016 for their 164th Board of Directors Meeting.FORMATION OF WEST INDIES CENTRAL SUGAR CANE BREEDING STATION (INC.)
SAC is happy to note the new arrangements for its Cane Breeding Station in Barbados. It has been established as a company, and is now known as the West Indies Central Sugar Cane Breeding Station (WISCCBS Inc.). The Directors of the company held their first Meeting on June 9th, 2016. This new arrangement for the Station will enhance its operational and financial base as it allows for expanded membership and increased investments from other than SAC members.

REGIONAL SUGAR PRODUCTION 2015-2016
Regional sugar production for 2015-2016 was adversely impacted by the worst drought in 70 years, and affected the industries’ ability to meet export requirements even as extra quotas were received for the US market.

INCREASED INTRA-REGIONAL TRADE
The SAC Directors reiterated their commitment to supplying all the raw sugar needs of the region. In this regard, the Meeting noted that SAC producers had increased regional sales of raw sugar from 30,464 tonnes in 2014-15 to 36,000 tonnes in 2015-16. The Directors also discussed plans to meet the regional refined sugar demand. SAC members also updated the Meeting on plans for producing value added products in each industry.

APPOINTMENTS OF GUYANA’S AMBASSADORS TO BRUSSELS AND THE USA, AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Directors welcomed the news that Messrs. David Hales and Riyad Insanally have been appointed as Guyana’s new Ambassadors to Brussels and the USA respectively. Each gentleman has a long and close relationship with the regional sugar industry. The Directors wish both of them a successful tenure, and look forward to continuing their relationship with them in their new postings.

The Directors also noted that the former Secretary General of the ACP Group, the Honourable Carl Greenidge, is the new Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Guyana Government; and, together with him, look forward to shaping a new relationship between SAC and the European Union.

CARICOM FUNDING FOR SUGAR STUDIES
The Directors noted that the CARICOM Secretariat has been able to secure funding for studies that will focus on the ability of the industries to supply, on a continuous basis, the total sugar required in the Region, and on ways to improve their performance, and therefore their competiveness in the sugar world.