– Govt also in talks with steel producers to set up operations here
A number of exciting projects are on the horizon for the manufacturing sector in Guyana, including a processing facility for refined white sugar, and the potential of steel manufacturers setting up shop in Guyana.
This was announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali, while in La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) on Saturday for a public meeting. According to the Head of State, the sugar refinery is expected to be launched in a matter of weeks.
“We expanded sugar. Whilst they don’t have an idea or a clue of how sugar will survive, in two weeks we will have a project launched in Guyana with a private sector entity that is going to do refined sugar. A facility for 175,000 tonnes of refined sugar. White sugar. Private sector investment,” he announced.
The Head of State also contrasted the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s vision for Guyana, with the APNU/AFC (A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change).
Zeroing in on his Government’s ability to attract investments to Guyana, President Ali pointed out that they are even in talks with steel manufacturers about setting up shop in Guyana.
“Whilst they’re busy plotting against the PPP, we’re discussing with major steel producers what it will take to move their plant to Guyana. That is the difference between the PPP and the rest,” President Ali added.
A refinery is different from a sugar mill, in that the latter crushes the cane stalks, squeezes the juice from the plant, and facilitates crystallisation of the juice so it turns into raw sugar; whereas a refinery converts that raw sugar into food grade white sugar.
Since the destruction of the sugar industry left by the former APNU/AFC Government, the PPP/C Government has invested significant sums in recapitalising and mechanising the industry.
Between 2020 and 2024, the Government invested approximately $45 billion in the sugar industry, to revitalise the sector and make it a vital component of the country’s developmental plans.
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) produced 6,738 tonnes of sugar for its first crop of 2024, falling short of the initial target of 16,000 tonnes. In total, less than 50,000 tonnes of sugar were produced in 2024, with President Dr Irfaan Ali warning that heads will roll if GuySuCo’s 2025 first crop targets aren’t met. In total, Government is projecting the production of over 100,000 tonnes of sugar for 2025.
The focus has been on modernising operations, including the mechanisation of estates, with at least 40 per cent of the estates now automated. Additionally, efforts have been made to recapitalise the industry by replacing broken infrastructure and systems to improve efficiency.
The sugar sector contracted by 21.8 per cent in 2024 with GuySuCo producing 47,103 tonnes from the 63,276-tonne target. The low production was as a result of the impact of El Niño, compounded by labour shortages across the industry throughout last year.
Last year, some $15.5 billion was expended on support to the sugar industry, including the acquisition of six new cane harvesters; conversion of 2,734 hectares of land for mechanised cultivation and harvesting, and rehabilitated critical revetment works.
In 2025, an additional 3,068 hectares of land will be converted to support mechanisation. Key investments will be made to acquire additional field equipment, rehabilitate field infrastructure, and construct over 17 kilometres of all-weather roads across the industry.
For these efforts, some $13.3 billion was approved during the budget estimates – as part of the Agriculture Ministry’s $104.6 billion budget – to support and rehabilitate the sugar industry this year.
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