Dear Editor,
As the current APNU+AFC government can find the money to subsidise electricity in Linden, desilt the canals in Georgetown and give a hefty pay rise to government employees, then they have to find the money to subsidise the sugar industry.
The sugar industry employs over 16,000 people and keeps an estimated 50,000 off the breadline. Aside from this, it brings in over US$75M per year in hard earned foreign currency. That means, the sugar industry brings in over US$375M every 5 years.
Should the industry be closed, not only will Guyana become a net importer of sugar and the unemployment rate will rise, but the Treasury will be depleted by US$375M in 5 years.
Even with the severe budget cuts the previous PPP/C government had found the money to keep the sugar industry going.
Yours faithfully,
Sean Ori
