The need for better trade relations amongst Caricom member states that benefit all member states is once again in the spotlight as two containers of packaged milk products produced by the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) were rejected for entry into Trinidad and Tobago by the authorities there.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Chairman of the DDL Group, Komal Samaroo disclosed to members of the media that DDL exported to Trinidad and Tobago four 20ft containers comprising both packaged milk and flavoured water. However, the milk products were rejected and returned to Guyana while the flavoured water was pending an examination. The examination of the water products by the Chairman was described as “unconventionally exhaustive.” According to Samaroo, Guyana does not have a similar requirement for the import of such products into Guyana.
The two rejected containers of milk were valued at U.S $100,000
The incident has resulted in frustration on the part of the DDL Group because the products were shipped to Trinidad and Tobago based on the advice of a Trinidad Business enterprise that had determined a need for such products in Trinidad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a press release on the matter posited that “The refusal of entry to the dairy products wholly produced in Guyana by Caricom member state is an affront to the spirit of Caribbean Integration Agenda and must not be accepted.”
According to the release, the Guyana Livestock Development Agency (GLDA) is in contact with its counterpart in Trinidad and Tobago to have the matter resolved as quickly as possible.
The statement from Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation further added that “Guyana has opened its market to regional producers, it is expected that market access for products from Guyana into any Caricom country is guaranteed for full benefits of regional integration to be realized.”
With Guyana’s status as the fastest-growing economy in the world, many businesses from Caricom member states including Trinidad and Tobago have flocked to Guyana to set up shop and benefit from Guyana’s economic boom. Guyana has also been leading the charge for achieving regional food security.