B.S.I. Has Its Eyes on CARICOM to Open New Markets to Sell Sugar

According to B.S.I., the opening of new markets is key to the future of the industry. The company is providing about eleven to fifteen thousand tons of sugar to the domestic market, but the mill is producing one hundred and forty tons annually. So the global market share needs to be increased and ASR/B.S.I. has its eyes set on the CARICOM market. Communications Director William Neal told News Five today that Prime Minister Dean Barrow has introduced a proposal at CARICOM which will hopefully pick up legs.

On the Phone: William Neal, Communications Director, ASR/B.S.I.

“Earlier this month, on July fourth to the sixth, Prime Minister Barrow did some important work to further that cause. At the heads of Government meeting for CARICOM, he was able to champion and build synergies with our sugar producing nations within CARICOM to have conversations about how do we get the implementation of a standardized common external tariff meaning that we need to encourage the use of sugar produced within CARICOM and put the tax for extra-regional sugar. Why are we choosing sugar from Guatemala, from Colombia over sugar that comes within CARICOM itself? So synergies are building with Jamaica, with Guyana, to sit down and talk with big players like Trinidad within CARICOM to say listen we need to open our markets within CARICOM to facilitate the use of sugar made in the region.”

Neal says that a Council for Trade and Economic Development meeting will be held in November to determine the way forward for trade in the Caribbean.