Georgetown: The top executives of the Tate and Lyle Sugar Company recently met with President Donald Ramotar at his office.
The team of officials, which included Regional Technical Director Colin Turner, Vice President, Trading, Duncan Tate and Social Responsibility Specialist Rafael Vaya, was led by Senior Vice President of Simon Gibbons. Speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Gibbons said that the discussions focused on the long-term relationship between Guyana and the company.
“We buy most of the sugar for the European Union and some for the USA as well, under the US quota, and we talked about the cane breeding station in Barbados, as well”. The company executive added that they are desirous of seeing lower costs and more competitive sugar on a worldwide basis, “so that we can sell it on and Guyana can make money and we can make money as well”.
It was explained that Tate and Lyle has a very good relationship with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), and the team, who were here on a one-week visit, has been meeting with stakeholders and major players in the sugar industry.
The team also visited the Skeldon Sugar Factory, and according to Simmons, the factory is being turned around, in terms of performance and its faults being rectified. “We know that GuySuco is gradually turning that estate around but it is a long journey… but is going in the right direction”.
In October 2010, American Sugar Holdings (ASR Group) acquired the EU sugar refining businesses of Tate and Lyle PLC, namely Tate and Lyle Sugars in the UK and Sidul in Portugal. This was an important milestone, as these operations are now part of the world’s largest cane sugar refining company with operations in North America, Central America and Europe.
The European businesses have approximately 1,300 direct and contract employees (incorporated shares in joint ventures) manufacturing sugar at three refineries and associated manufacturing sites.
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