GEORGETOWN, Guyana – In light of ongoing challenges within the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuco), President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has issued a clear mandate to the company’s management: meeting production targets is imperative.
During a recent live-streamed session, the President emphasized the importance of accountability in addressing the under-performance plaguing the sugar industry.
The government has made substantial investments aimed at revitalizing this critical sector, which has suffered from years of neglect under the previous administration from 2015 to 2020. As a result, operational inefficiencies at the factories have significantly hindered sugar production.
President Ali acknowledged these challenges and reiterated that management has been notified about their current shortcomings. He stressed that failing to meet predetermined targets will lead to serious repercussions for the management team.
“We have engaged with management, and they have presented an investment strategy to maintain factory efficiency. We fully support this plan and I have made it very clear that if the 2025 production targets are not achieved, there will be consequences,” President Ali emphasized.
The government is also exploring technical support to enhance production efficiency as part of its broader strategy.
The sugar industry, a vital component of Guyana’s economy, has experienced significant decline following the closure of four sugar estates in 2017, a decision that adversely affected around 7,000 workers and their communities, especially in East Berbice-Corentyne.
Before its closure, the Rose Hall Estate alone employed approximately 2,500 workers, with other estates like Blairmont and Albion also seeing significant job losses.
To modernize the sugar industry, the government has committed billions to mechanization and facility upgrades, aiming to boost production capacity. Currently, new packaging plants are under construction in Albion and Blairmont to enhance value-added product offerings.
Previously, President Ali highlighted that revitalizing the sugar sector involves substantial investments, defining it as an essential economic solution rather than just a financial initiative for families.
This year, the government has allocated an impressive $6 billion in the national budget to enhance production capabilities and operational efficiency within the sugar industry.