By Khadidja Ba
From castor oil to patties to furniture, 40 Jamaican companies are prospecting for partnerships here led by Senator Aubyn Hill, Jamaica’s Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce.
During an engagement at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, on May 13th, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, expressed optimism for the successful mission and welcomed the large and diverse delegation to Guyana. “We in Guyana are extremely grateful for the interest being shown in Guyana from companies in Jamaica, elsewhere in the region and worldwide but in particular, by Jamaican companies judging from the size and diversity of the delegations that have been coming on these successful missions.”
Singh went on to state that much is being said about Guyana today with the weekly headlines stating that Guyana is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. “In 2020 we grew by 43.5%, in 2022 by 63.3%, 2024 we are projected to grow by 25% for the next 4 years.” The Minister stressed the importance of maintaining economic diversification and how that will allow more investment opportunities for Guyana.
Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton at another engagement at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown yesterday, reminded the companies present that even though Guyana’s economy grew exponentially as a result of the oil and gas industry, “Oil and Gas is finite, food is forever, today, tomorrow and I just want to say that we are not an oil and gas economy, we produce oil, we sell oil and we receive a financial stream to help us develop that sector.”
Hamilton went on to share experiences dealing with foreign companies entering Guyana’s markets which allow themselves to be deceived by lawyers and HR specialists who accept unnecessary payouts to flout local established labour laws. His recommendation, however, is to gather the correct information regarding the Labour laws freely and directly from the Ministry of Labour. Hamilton went on to encourage the companies to explore opportunities beyond the confines of “crowded” Georgetown and encouraged companies to “explore business opportunities across the 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana, especially Region 10, which has its own special incentive and tax regime for any business developing in that region that is beyond what other businesses get in Guyana.”
Acknowledging the current issues facing the power, Hamilton reassured the companies that Guyana has begun to secure a solution by way of the Gas to Shore Energy project.
“Once we would have fixed energy, reliable, cheap energy, the potential for growth in the agro-processing and manufacturing sectors will multiply a dozen fold.” The Minister added that people in the IT sector should have an interest in coming to Guyana and they should start discussing “the type of factories they want to build for production and the manufacturing sector and how can we utilize the IT sector to develop these factories as best as we could”.
One of the companies in the trade mission, Wisynco Group Limited, is Jamaica’s leading distributor, manufacturer and exporter of top brands of food, beverages and paper products to 31 countries across the globe.
Stephen Dawkins, Group Export Manager told Stabroek News that this initiative was “fantastic” and “eye opening”. Wisynco has distribution networks in Europe, The USA and in the Caribbean, however, they have noted a challenge in entering the block between Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad which have their own peculiarities in relation to fostering partnerships and entry into markets. Competition, according to Dawkins is at an all-time high within the beverages industry and he believes his company and products are strategically placed to ensure local supermarkets are lined with their products such as Bigga Soft Drinks, Tru Juice (Natural juices), Boom Energy Drinks. Dawkins’ main purposes for forming part of this delegation are to “further the government’s (Jamaica) mission to increase exports, also to grow Wisynco’s exports…we are also looking to find that right partner and to firm up that relationship on this mission, we are also looking for a partner at the equity level, as we grow from a logical standpoint, this is what is required to grow our brand because if you don’t have strong partnerships in the past, the other options are to set up your own manufacturing plant in Guyana, set up your own distribution arm, or partner with somebody that’s already here”.
One of their products, “Boom Energy Drinks”, was supplied into the Guyana market approximately 10 years ago. Even though sales were exceptional, finding a dependable distributor has posed the biggest challenge thus far. This has not deterred the company, as they still believe they have a place in the Guyanese market. Dawkins also acknowledged the population size of Guyana as compared to the land mass and though he foresees “getting goods to market will not be the easiest nor the cheapest,” the long term benefits outweigh the immediate hurdles. He also lauded the Jamaican government’s efforts for creating pathways for companies to get opportunities through government to government links in the finance area, commerce area and trade area, clearing all the blockages and all the elements necessary to get our products into markets.”
Dawkins appreciated the presentation by the Centre for Local Business Development which was eye opening and allowed the delegation to know what lays before them upon considering entering Guyanese markets.
Sheneille Hewitt with two sample pieces at the Marriott Hotel, Conference Centre
Halt by Hewitt is another contemporary Jamaican company here with the Trade Mission. Since 2009 Halt by Hewitt, founded by Clifton Hewitt, has been making exquisite barrel and contemporary furniture for various restaurants, pubs, hotels and lounges island wide. However, since his untimely passing, his daughter Sheneille has been successfully growing the company. Speaking to Stabroek News, Sheneille shared that she has successfully “tapped out the local market back in Jamaica so I am really trying to expand or brand and bring this type of furniture into other spaces. The Minister of Labour said that Guyana needs furniture and I am very excited about that because this is my baby. I came to Guyana looking for markets for my products and whether the market was big enough and I am happy that there is!” The plan for now is to continue production in Jamaica while exporting to Guyana, however this arrangement should be lucrative and Sheneille is open to the possibility of setting roots down in Guyana. She also noted that Guyana is undergoing significant economic growth and “within the next 5 years, this is going to be the next Dubai”. With this in mind, Sheneille says she is ready to “take over the market” with her unique products that will “make them stop and stare” (in keeping with the motto of her brand). “I am looking forward to making people Halt”.
Digital Commodities Ltd., established in 1993 has adapted and evolved into being the leading provider of CCTV, Fire Alarm Systems and Access Control across Jamaica. Taking advantage of the gaps present in the Security Industry, this company has strategically maintained the competitive advantage through effective costing and an extensive array of supporting accessories.
Dwain Cox, Director of the company stated that “So far in terms of the Mission, I have found it very engaging, it has opened our eyes to other prospects that we did not foresee nor look at”. He would encourage all the potential companies looking to enter Guyanese markets to keep their eyes open as was recommended by the Ministers of Labour and Finance. “Fruitful” and “very good” were the positive feedback given by Cox in his assessment of the meetings with the prospective clients so far when speaking to Stabroek News. Though this is his first Mission to Guyana, he is ready to definitely return to further develop his prospects. “My ticket already booked” he joked before recommending the need for more companies along a wider cross section to be involved in these missions both from the Jamaican perspective and Guyanese.
Shawnalee King Gentles, Founder and Managing Director of “A Yuh That”
“A Yuh That” by Shawnalee King Gentles is a Jamaican, woman-owned company that specializes in manufacturing Jamaican black and Jamaican cold press castor oil. Contrary to popular use along cosmetic lines, this company highlights the health benefits associated with castor oil such as “thyroid, alleviating pain, detoxing, colon cleanse, it is anti-microbial, and anti-fungal in property so castor oil is multifaceted”. Shawnalee, the proud Founder, Managing Director, farmer and the “everything” of the company also shared the origins of the unique business name, “A Yuh That” is Jamaican patois for “This is you” used as a compliment or approval given to how something or someone looks. The main purpose of being a part of this Trade Mission for King Gentles is to tap into the pharmaceutical industry of Guyana. “We are looking to have some consolidation in terms of getting castor beans in order to make the castor oil”. After only being started one year ago, “A Yuh That” is ready to expand into foreign markets such as Guyana’s. The business to business meetings with potential clients so far were successful and encouraging. Noting the extensive, untouched land mass of Guyana, King Gentles shared with Stabroek News that she aims to acquire not only business partners, but to be able to “produce castor oil locally in Guyana by repurposing the land for farming while maintaining the biodiversity in terms of, it is good for the climate, it is also sustainable for the GDP for both countries and on a regional frontier. We are looking to build generational wealth and break generational cycles as well.”
Alyssa Chin is an Attorney and Director of Juici Patties which is a family owned and run restaurant franchise store and food manufacturer in Jamaica. Her main purpose for attending the Mission is to make viable connections and find a partner to grow in Guyana’s market. Growth to Juici Patties would be in the form of finding distributors for their Jamaican beef, chicken, shrimp, plant based and vegetable patties. Currently in Jamaica, the company has 65 locations, and they just opened the first 2 franchises in Florida. “We manufacture and we also export the products to about 11 other Caribbean islands where we have local distributors that we work with and we are really just looking to expand into the growing Guyana market”. Chin has much confidence in the possibilities of partnering with local companies and she has noted the high level of synergy between the companies both on the Jamaica and Guyana fronts.
Participating companies in the Trade Mission spoke to Stabroek News and expressed keen interest in entering the Guyana market at this pivotal stage in the country’s development in order to embed the companies within the business community to pave the way for potential future expansion.
