Three companies are providing an $18M support package to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for this year’s Mashramani activities. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and Ansa McAl have agreed to the sponsorship package to support the celebration.

DDL’s Assistant Manager Sharda Vereen-Chand said the company has supported Mash for more than four years and is proud to be associated with the celebration. She said the company’s Soca beverage is the official soda for the event and, like Soca music, the soft drinks “are fast becoming an inextricable part of Mash.”

The Mash Committee also said Ansa McAl will sponsor the Carib Soca Monarch Competition and will be active in the celebrations to help to make it as festive as the carnival celebrations it sponsors in the Caribbean. The committee said GT&T has been a partner in the celebrations for more than three years and will send participants to join the bands on Mash day.

Culture minister, Dr Frank Anthony, said private sector support is welcome as the ministry intends to host Mash in all of the regions.