MORE rice is expected to be exported to Cuba in January 2020, but there is need for more rice companies to raise their standards to supply the Spanish-speaking market.
This is according to president of the Region Three Chamber of Commerce (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Halim Khan.

Khan said Surinamese officials are currently securing markets in Cuba for rice exports next year while also developing urea fertiliser and other inputs available at attractive prices.
He said Cuba currently purchases a large quantity of rice from Guyana. Nand Persaud and Company Limited, producers of Karibee rice brand, have built a rice milling plant in Cuba’s free zone.

He noted that Nand Persaud is a major employer in East Berbice and one of the biggest buyers of paddy from farmers. The company has also invested in packaging and call centres.

Khan noted that Barbados has also expressed interest in purchasing rice from Suriname.
“Guyanese companies need to raise their standards in order to meet the needs of global supply and demand while exploring value-added chains,” he said.

He explained that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has embarked on a mission to increase awareness of the significant benefits and opportunities of its Rice Value Chain.
The chamber’s president noted that the re-introduction of rice flour into the market will result in a decrease in the importation of wheat flour, further resulting in a reduction of Guyana’s overall import bill.

“Value-added rice and rice-based products will also create employment and serve as an additional source of income to those who get involved in the production chain. The industry will also increase the shelf life of products made from rice while reducing the importation of these products from other countries,” Khan noted.

The president of the Region Three Chambers noted that Guyana has been enjoying a close relationship with Cuba since the 1970s and early 1980s.

“The two countries officially established diplomatic ties in 1972 with Cuba agreeing to provide medical supplies, doctors, and medical training to Guyana, an initiative that still exists. Since then, a significant number of persons have received scholarships to study there. In recent year or so, Cubans have been coming here under a visa-free arrangement to shop,” Khan explained.