Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has enunciated a vision for a restructured sugar industry which can maximise its potential to be a more significant driver of the economy.
She said yesterday she will be meeting with the sector before yearend as the time has come to be strategic in how Barbados moves forward with the industry, recognising that “multiple decisions” will have to be made about its future.
Among the considerations that should be put on the table, said Mottley, was the transitioning of the lone sugar factory from a three-month operation to year-round. Barbados could no longer be the underwriter of the sugar industry in circumstances where there existed economic and financial opportunities, she added.
She suggested such opportunities lay in the potential to offer sugar with the distinguished Barbados brand to a world market, as well as “the recognition that our hotels should not be using any form of granulated sugar when we have enough here to supply” that market. (GC)
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