Caricom hopes to expand Caribbean sugar market
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) says it hopes to diversify and expand the markets for Caribbean-produced sugar cane.
'The objective is to transform the industry into one in which the utilization of the sugarcane plant, in particular as a source of renewable energy, is fully developed,' Caricom said in a statement from a meeting in Georgetown, Guyana last week.
The strategy for diversification of the sugar industry includes adding value by the development of sugar refining facilities and Caribbean brand packaging; the development of sugar cane for alternative, bio-ethanol fuels; sustaining the market for supplying raw materials to Caribbean rum producers; and recognition of sugar's place in tourism, soil conservation, and enhancing the environment.