| Trinidad and Tobago has signaled its intentions to buy beef and mutton from Guyana.Additionally, the Twin-Island republic is also interested in buying copra and constructing a coconut oil mill.This is according to the Ministry of Agriculture which disclosed on Friday that Minister Robert Persaud has met with Trinidad’s Minister of Food Production,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, Land and Marine Affairs, Vasant Bharath, in Port of Spain.Among the issues raised was greater access to that market by Guyana’s produce.According to the Ministry, Persaud discussed a wide range of issues including the supply of rice and other agricultural produce from Guyana.“He also met with importers of rice and other agricultural produce. During the meeting with the importers issues such as the request by the Trinidadian authorities for the removal of pineapple crowns from pineapples and the stems from peppers before they are shipped to Trinidad were raised. Removal of the crowns and stems from these products shorten their shelf lives, and makes them deteriorate faster. The Trinidadian authorities have given a commitment to address these issues,” the ministry disclosed in a statement.Trinidadian businessmen, it was noted, also expressed an interest in sourcing beef and mutton from Guyana.“Minister Persaud told the businessmen that these two products are part of Guyana’s agricultural diversification programme. He informed the meeting that Guyana was certified Free of Foot and Mouth Disease (without vaccination) from the OIE (International Office of Epizootics) and that Guyana is ready to export beef and mutton to Trinidad.”Since 2006, Guyana has facilitated three teams from Trinidad to visit and inspect the facilities in here. Guyana currently exports beef to Grenada.In December 2006, Minister Persaud had written to then Trinidadian Agriculture Minister, Jarrett Narine, seeking greater access to the Trinidadian market.“As a result of subsequent interventions by Minister Persaud, the list of admissible produce from Guyana to Trinidad increased from 6 to 22 (inclusive or rice, rice products and wood).”During the meetings Minister Persaud also discussed the possibility of further investments in Guyana by Trinidadian businessmen including the sourcing of copra and establishment of an oil mill in Guyana.Coconut water is currently being bottled in the Pomeroon by a Trinidadian firm for the Trinidad and Tobago Agri-Business Association (TTABA).Accompanying the Minister on the trip was General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board, Jagnarine Singh. |
