SVG to export flour, rice and toilet paper to Venezuela

St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is set to export rice, flour and toilet paper to Venezuela, with the items being paid for by the debt owed by this country to Petrocaribe.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves made the announcement in Parliament on Tuesday, stating that the circumstances in Venezuela have created certain opportunities.{{more}}

He said one of the main emphases at the recent ministerial meeting of Petrocaribe, held on May 27, was to “explore and implement additional value added revenue generating initiatives…”.

Gonsalves said Guyana suspended the export of rice to Venezuela because of the border dispute between both countries, and since then, opportunities have opened for rice mills in CARICOM to export the commodity to Venezuela.

The Prime Minister said that Dr Jerrol Thompson, director of special projects in the Office of the Prime Minister, met recently with the sales and marketing manager at Petrocaribe and the initiative to sell flour, rice and toilet paper to Venezuela was firmed up.

“There is…real prospect where the circumstances in Venezuela have created these opportunities,” he noted.

Gonsalves noted that Thompson has already been in discussion with the general manager at East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) Ossie Davy and Monty Maule of the St Vincent Container Corporation.

The ECGC manufactures rice and flour, while the St Vincent Container Corporation produces toilet paper.

“There are plans to proceed in these respects. It is important for us to take advantage of opportunities which are opening up.”

He also indicated that during the meeting, Venezuela once again pledged its commitment to Petrocaribe.

“This meeting in Venezuela heard yet again the reaffirmation of Venezuela’s commitment to Petrocaribe and that was done by the Minister of Petroleum and Mining and later by President Maduro himself. The 14 Caribbean and Latin American nations that attended…and all the countries present enthusiastically express support for Venezuela and the Petrocaribe programme,” Gonsalves indicated.

A release from the Embassy of Venezuela noted that at the Petrocaribe meeting, agreements were consolidated with some nations for the distribution of three million tons of food.

Likewise, the Venezuelan authorities will guarantee the supply of fuel and maintain the preferential financing rate stipulated under the Petrocaribe agreement.(CM)