As part of its strategic plan to move the industry forward, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) still proposes to enter into a joint venture with a Trinidadian company to establish a refinery in Berbice.

Chairman Vic Oditt said on Tuesday that the project would cost some US$110 million. He said that GUYSUCO envisages operating from a position of strength to become an entrepreneurial, customer-driven, market-oriented producer within the coming years.

Accompanying European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Poul Nielson, who was on a brief visit to Guyana, on a tour of the Skeldon Estate, Oditt expressed disappointment that the European refiners had said that the quality of sugar here was declining, as compared with other Caribbean states.

He said that plans were also afoot for enhancing the product through new packaging sizes with a shelf-life of six months, organically-grown sugar and exploration for new markets. He noted that it had been agreed that GUYSUCO's management contract with Booker Tate would be restructured and private cane production increased from eight per cent to 30 per cent.

Nielson, prior to being shown the new packing sizes, welcomed the vision of the corporation and highlighted the importance of setting high standards in production. "The issue of the refiner's statement of standard decline needs to be addressed urgently. No one wants to see sediments or other substances in their tea or coffee. When standards are met, prices can be negotiable," Nielson said.

The chairman, in his presentation, mentioned that the primary objective of the strategic plan was to increase output to 450,000 tonnes, while reducing the cost of production to US$0.11 cents per lb.

Accompanying Nielson on the tour were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh; top European Commission officials and government and regional administrators.

The European Commission has financed several developmental projects in the country including the Water Treatment Plant in Berbice.