Last year, Netram Ramanan decided to expand his fruit juice operation by seeking markets outside Guyana. He targeted Canada, linked up with a Trinidadian businessman there are commenced shipping a variety of locally manufactured fruit juices to Toronto. He received the full amount of money for the first order prior to delivery. On the second occasion he received a cash advance equivalent to half the cost of the consignment. Now confident of the market, Ramanan dispatched the third shipment without broaching the subject of payment. He never received a dime for the third consignment. Instead, the importer regaled him with stories about spoilage. Ramanan didn’t accept his client’s story. He believes he was cheated and the experience brought his juice export pursuits to a shuddering halt. He has not tried to export since.
Ramanan is not the first Guyanese exporter for whom problems with payments have caused business to turn sour. Two weeks ago, Leslie Anthony, who exports mangoes to Canada,
