US$35M agro-processing plant earmarked for Enmore
Shortly after signing the MoU for a US$35M agro-processing plant at Enmore, are, from left: Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, along with Maurice R. Gajadhar, CEO of Caribbean International Distributors Inc., and Go-Invest’s CEO, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop (DPI photo)
Shortly after signing the MoU for a US$35M agro-processing plant at Enmore, are, from left: Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, along with Maurice R. Gajadhar, CEO of Caribbean International Distributors Inc., and Go-Invest’s CEO, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop (DPI photo)

–to create over 600 jobs

CARIBBEAN International Distributors Incorporated, a member of the Rudisa Group of Companies, has signalled its intention to build a whopping US$35 million ($7.3 billion) agro-processing facility at Enmore, on the East Coast Demerara (ECD).
To this effect, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday with the Government of Guyana, through the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest).
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha said that the facility will accommodate the processing and packaging of a range of products such as pasteurised milk, natural fruit juices and water, as well as a myriad of bread-like products including hamburger buns, cookies, biscuits, croissants, bagels and donuts, etcetera.
“This here will tap into the market both locally and overseas. But locally, we already have markets like the school-feeding programme; you have fruit juices that are normally used there… You have the milk; now that will be pasteurised,” Minister Mustapha told the Guyana Chronicle.
He said, too, that in addition to creating some 600 new jobs for the people of Guyana, the project is expected to create a large market for fruit farmers and dairy producers, who, according to the developers, will be the primary suppliers in this venture.

The government’s Department of Public Information (DPI), which was present at the signing of the MoU, quoted the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GO-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop, as saying: “Rudisa Group of Companies has a longstanding interest in Guyana, and is embarking on a new and critical venture, which will considerably contribute to the President’s vision for an Agriculture-focused Guyana, and which will be focal in the government’s mission to transform Guyana into a large-scale exporter for the Caribbean and beyond.” Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Caribbean International Distributors Inc, Maurice R. Gajadhar, related his enthusiasm about embarking on this new investment, and adding to the country’s transformation effort.
“We are excited to expand our operations, and to be instrumental in Guyana’s agricultural and industrial development…We want to make sure that our people benefit from this investment, and are eager to add value to the agriculture industry in keeping with our President’s vision for Guyana,” Gajadar said.
The establishment of this new plant will bring Guyana one step closer to realising the government’s comprehensive food agenda, while ensuring the development of the local farming community.

“We have to move away from the subsistent way we have been doing things,” Minister Mustapha said.
He related that currently, Guyana has been working with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to eliminate certain barriers of trade, which will ultimately pave the way for Guyana to become a major food supplier of the region, thereby realising its true potential as the food-basket of the Caribbean.
When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) assumed office in August 2020, it had pledged to put immediate focus on tapping into at least 15 per cent of the regional food import bill, which ranges between US$5 billion to US$8 billion.
Minister Mustapha said that Guyana produces much of the items that are being imported by the 15 CARICOM Member States; however, it is important that efforts be made to improve the production and sales of value-added products.
For instance, even though Guyana is a major producer and exporter of coconut, processed products such as coconut cream and bottled coconut water are still being imported.

It is for this reason that the government has begun investing heavily in the development of agro-processing and packaging plants, which would see more value-added products coming out of Guyana.
To this end, the government has already budgeted in excess of $800 million for the establishment of six high-quality agro-processing facilities across the country.
These facilities are slated to be established particularly in Aranaputa and St. Ignatius in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); Black Bush Polder in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); and Leguan in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
Minister Mustapha has also committed to ensuring such facilities are replicated in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).
“This here will help Guyana to be a leading country,” Mustapha said, as he pointed to the investments being made.
He noted, too, that in addition to improving the country’s processing and packaging capabilities, much effort will be placed on ensuring that standards and quality are superior.

LABS TO BE BUILT
To this end, the Ministry of Agriculture will be investing in the purchase of critical equipment for the creation of “mini labs” to test the products being processed and packaged in Guyana. Soon after taking office, President Dr. Irfaan Ali had related his government’s vision of transforming the agriculture industry.
Dr. Ali had stressed that even though Guyana is gearing to become a major oil producer, the country will not make the mistake of being reliant on the Oil-and-Gas Sector alone. The Head of State has often underscored the importance and potential of Guyana’s agriculture industry, especially as it relates to agro-processing and investing in value-added. However, Dr. Ali had also recognised that investments in value-added products depend heavily on Guyana’s ability to produce affordable energy. To this end, as part of its plan to transform Guyana into a powerhouse, the government has embarked on a mission to cut the cost of power generation by at least 50 per cent, using an energy mix, which will see the creation of projects that will utilise various sources of alternative energy. The Amaila Hydropower project and the pioneer Gas-to-Shore project are all part of this effort.

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