January 30, 2025
The investment in the sugar industry remains a hot topic in the ongoing budget debates, with both the government and opposition taking strong positions on the future of Guyana’s sugar industry.
The opposition, represented by Jermaine Figueira of the APNU/AFC, criticized the government’s continued investment in Guysuco, citing the billions of taxpayer dollars allocated to the industry and questioning its competitiveness in the global sugar market.
He argued that such investments may not yield the desired results, especially when the industry faces challenges in maintaining profitability.
In contrast, Suresh Singh, a new Member of Parliament from the PPP/C, strongly defended the government’s efforts, reminding the opposition of the adverse impact their 2016-2017 policies had on the lives of sugar workers.
Singh, who hails from a sugar-producing community, expressed deep personal frustration over the coalition government’s decision to shut down sugar estates, leading to the loss of livelihoods for thousands.
He described the action as “heartless” and emphasized the hardships faced by families in communities like his own, where sugar production was a central part of the local economy.
Singh highlighted the current government’s success in reversing some of the damage caused by the closure of estates, pointing out that the Rose Hall Estate was reopened in 2023, less than three years after the PPP/C took office.
The government has also made significant investments in the rehabilitation and modernization of sugar factories and cane fields, which has led to the rehiring of over 4,600 workers.
For 2025, a further 13.3 billion dollars has been allocated to continue supporting the sugar industry’s recovery.
The debate continues as both sides prepare to shape the future of the sugar industry in Guyana, with the government focusing on revitalization efforts and the opposition questioning the long-term viability of such investments.