GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC)— President Dr Irfaan Ali says refined sugar from Guyana could be used across the region in place of existing imports.

The president made the statement as he announced that a sugar refinery is being constructed at Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) which could supply the product to the Caribbean region by the end of 2027.

“By the end of 2027, we will be able to supply all the refined sugar products the region requires and imports right now,” the Guyanese Head of State declared on Saturday during the opening ceremony of the XII Annual Consultation with Caribbean Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

This consultation is being hosted in Guyana.

The president recently announced that a private investor is building the refinery at the Enmore Sugar Estate, one of the sugar estates closed by the former government.

Beyond sugar, Ali pointed out that Guyana is serious about producing more food and trading more within the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Guyana has the lead responsibility for food security and nutrition within Caricom’s quasi-cabinet and all countries within the bloc are behind the Guyana-led goal of slashing costly extra-regional food imports by 25 per cent by 2025.

The president told the IDB consultation that Guyana will become self-sufficient in corn and soya, and beans. He said that the end of 2026, the country should be able to also export more of these products and supply the entire region.

Meanwhile, IDB president Ilan Goldfajn, who also spoke at the opening ceremony, said the bank was serious about helping countries achieve their food security target.