–during engagement with Congressman Jackson’s tour of company’s Diamond operations
–commits to diversification in response to the regional call for food security

UNITED States of America Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (D Illinois 1st District) visited Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL)’s operations at Diamond on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.
During the visit, he held discussions with Company Chairman Komal Samaroo and his team on several issues, including challenges to the global supply chain, market access, and efforts to attain regional food security in the Caribbean.

The visit included a tour of DDL’s TOPCO plant and packaging operations, where the Congressman and his team observed the processing of the carambola and packaging of cherry juice, and learnt of the various fruit juices and the milk currently being produced and packaged at the plant.
In discussions on the issue of regional food security, Chairman Samaroo highlighted DDL’s diversification and expansion programme, which includes outreaches to local farmers for an increase in fruit and vegetable cultivation to ensure adequate supplies to the plant, as well as investing in a US$multimillion state-of-the-art dairy farm at Moblissa on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The tour offered Congressman Jackson a unique glimpse into DDL’s rich 300-year legacy, and an on-the-spot look at the distillery’s operations, which have shaped the history and traditions of Demerara Rum’s world-renowned reputation.

Samaroo shared DDL’s recent diversification plans and efforts in response to the regional call for food security, saying, “Aligning with the regional food security policy established by CARICOM, we have ventured into the milk and dairy business, contributing to Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s food security goals.”
He further noted that the decision to diversify has made room for local farmers to expand their operations.

Samaroo also took the opportunity to bring to the congressman’s attention the ongoing issues surrounding the US’ “cover-over” programme and its impact on the Caribbean/Guyana’s rum industry.
“The cover-over agreement is a major issue to the rum industry in Guyana and other Caribbean countries. These subsidies create an uneven playing field, jeopardising the livelihoods of thousands, and the economic stability of our region,” he said.
The cover-over programme, as it currently stands, involves the US Government remitting 98 per cent of all excise taxes collected on rum sold in the United States (US) to US territories such as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (USVI).

Congressman Jackson expressed his appreciation for DDL’s hospitality and its dedication to the production of quality rums. He also commended the company’s success and added that he looks forward to continued dialogue and a strong relationship. Congressman Jackson and Samaroo are expected to meet again next month in Washington DC during Caribbean Legislative Week on Capitol Hill.

Jackson represents Illinois’ First Congressional District of the United States Congress, and is a leading member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

He also serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Agriculture. He was on a visit to Guyana at the invitation of President Irfaan Ali, and was accompanied by staffers James Gomez and Saroya Kirton.

Samaroo was accompanied on the tour by Deputy Chief Executive Officer Vasudeo Singh; Master Distiller Lennox Shaun Caleb, and Government Affairs Advisor Wesley Kirton.