Govt. committed to Jamaica’s sugar industry- Samuda

Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Karl Samuda has reiterated that the Government through the Ministry is committed to the growth and development of the sugar industry in Jamaica. The Minister noted that despite the many challenges that the industry is facing, if properly managed, it is sustainable.

Minister Samuda was speaking at a meeting with representatives of COMPLANT/Pan Caribbean Sugar Co. Ltd., at his New Kingston offices on February 20, 2018.

The meeting was convened to discuss issues relating to the latest developments at the Monymusk Sugar Factory in Clarendon and the Frome Sugar Factory in Westmoreland, also the way forward for both factories.

The Minister welcomed Mr. Han Hong, Deputy General Manager of China National Complete Plant Import and Export Group Corporation Limited, Chairman of China National Complete Plant International Sugar Industry Corporation Limited. He is also Chairman of Pan Caribbean Sugar Company Ltd.

He informed Mr. Hong that the Ministry is looking forward to the continued good working relationship with Pan Caribbean in the interest and betterment of the sugar industry in Jamaica.
“What I am here to do is to give my full support to Pan Caribbean and the sugar industry on a whole. What I want more than ever is to see its growth and to that end, earn some much needed foreign exchange”, Minister Samuda stated.

In the meantime, Mr. Hong outlined some of the challenges being faced by both sugar factories. Some of these include the impact of continuous rainfall, sugar content decline and labour shortage. He added also that, “there is an urgent need for the different sectors of the sugar industry in Jamaica to collaborate in order for it to survive”.

The delegation included Mr. Jin Li Chao, Deputy Manager of Production and Operation, Department of China National Complete Plant International Sugar Industry Corporation Ltd.; Mr. Li Teng, Deputy Director of General Office of China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation Ltd., Ms. Liu Chao Yu, CEO of Pan Caribbean Sugar Company Ltd., Mr. Delroy Armstrong, CEO, Senior Assistant, Pan Caribbean Sugar Company Ltd., Mr. Kuang Zhi Yuan, General Manager of Guangzhou Panyu Huanan Group Energy Sources Corporation Ltd., Ms. Xie Zi Dan (Victoria Xie), Business Development Associated of Huazhong Group (Guangdong) Corporation Ltd., and Mr. Liao Hui Heng, General Manager, Argyle Street Management Ltd.

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