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US Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (D Illonois1st District) visited Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) operations at Diamond on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, during which he held discussions with Chairman Komal Samaroo and his team on several issues including challenges to the global supply chain, market access and efforts at attaining regional food security in the Caribbean.
The visit included a tour of DDL’s TOPCO plant and packaging operations where the Congressman and his team observed the processing of carambola and packaging of cherry juice and learnt of the various fruit juices and the milk currently produced and packaged at the plant.
In discussions on the issue of regional food security, Chairman Samaroo explained DDL’s diversification and expansion program which includes outreach to local farmers for an increase in fruit and vegetable cultivation to ensure adequate supplies to the plant as well as investment in a multimillion US dollar state of the art dairy farm at Moblissa on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
The tour offered Congressman Jackson a unique glimpse into DDL’s rich 300-year legacy and an on-the-spot look at the distillery operations which have shaped the history and traditions of Demerara Rum’s world-renowned reputation.
During lunch Chairman Samaroo shared DDL’s recent diversification efforts in response to the regional call for food security “Aligning with the regional food security policy established by CARICOM, we have ventured into the milk and dairy business, contributing to Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s food security goals.” He further added that the decision to diversify has made room for local farmers to expand their operations.
Chairman Samaroo also took the opportunity to bring to the congressman’s attention the ongoing issues surrounding the US ‘cover-over’ programme and its impact on the Caribbean/Guyana’s rum industry. “The cover-over agreement is a major issue to the rum industry in Guyana and other Caribbean countries. These subsidies create an uneven playing field, jeopardising the livelihoods of thousands and the economic stability of our region.”
The cover-over programme, as it currently operates, involves the US Government remitting 98 per cent of all excise taxes collected on rum sold in the United States (US) to US territories Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Congressman Jackson expressed his appreciation for DDL’s hospitality and its dedication to quality rum production. He commended the company’s success and added that he looks forward to continued dialogue and a strong relationship. Congressman Jackson and Mr. Samaroo are expected to meet again next month in Washington DC during Caribbean Legislative Week on Capitol Hill.
Jackson represents Illinois’ First Congressional District of the United States Congress and is a leading member of the Congressional Black Caucus. He also serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the House Committee on Agriculture. He was on a visit to Guyana at the invitation of President Irfaan Ali and was accompanied by staffers James Gomez and Saroya Kirton.
DDL’s Chairman Komal Samaroo was accompanied on the tour by Deputy Chief Executive Officer Vasudeo Singh, Master Distiller Lennox Shaun Caleb and Government Affairs Advisor Wesley Kirton.
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