Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) yesterday signed a $10M corporate sponsorship contract with the culture ministry to make Demerara Gold the official liquor brand for Carifesta X.

According to a press release from the Carifesta Secretariat, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony said he hopes other organisations will emulate DDL’s example. He said DDL is the first official sponsor though the ministry is currently in discussion with five other major sponsors who are expected to come on board soon.

Anthony said he hopes that the exposure at the festival will help corporate entities make inroads in international markets.

The sponsorship package entails DDL spending the said sum towards a roster of activities including hosting one Carifesta super concert and sponsoring marketing and publicity for the August 22-31 festival.
In return the company has been given the rights for the use of the Carifesta logo and entry into official venues earmarked to host events.

In a brief address following the signing DDL Marketing Director Sharda Veeren-Chan said the festival “is a great opportunity for Guyana to showcase its unique cultural diversity.”

The Secretariat said its CEO Nigel Dharamlall and Permanent Secretary at the ministry Colonel Keith Booker also witnessed the signing.