Mexican Ambassador to Guyana Ivan Roberto Sierra-Medel told local rice farmers in Berbice last Thursday that a large market is available for their produce in Mexico, if they can gain a foothold.
According to Sierra-Medel, almost 90% of the rice sold in Mexico is imported and he suggested that the local businessmen meet with possible buyers and gain contacts.
After the meeting, Sierra-Medel, in an interview with Stabroek News, said he has seen a nice dialogue with stakeholders who are interested in several areas, not only in agriculture but also broader economic exchanges with a focus on agriculture. “That is good,” he stressed, while noting that it has provided him with the opportunity to share the information about what can be done with Mexico. “…How can we make better use of the potential that we have. Currently, I see lots of interest in rice and that is good because it matches the supply—what is available in Guyana with the demand that is right now the Mexican market taking,” he added.
With regard to rice, the ambassador noted that the Mexican market consumes about one million tonnes of rice per year, while Mexico only produces about 10% of the rice it consumes. “Roughly 90% has to be purchased and we are in pursuit of rice but our importers have told us that they want to diversify, they have tried many countries and of course they are interested in the high quality Guyanese rice,” he said, before inviting the rice farmers who were present to attend an upcoming expo that will be held in Mexico, so that they can broaden their contacts.
Sierra-Medel also noted that the coconut has become a product of interest to Mexico.
The meeting was held at the Nand Persaud boardroom and was set up by the representative of the Prime Minister’s Office in Region Six Gobin Harbhajan. According to Harbhajan, during his visit to Mexico in November, he saw the market for rice and other agricultural produce and thought it best to invite the Mexican Ambassador to meet with the rice farmers and businessmen of Region Six.
The ambassador also noted that a scholarship was granted by Mexico to a young Guyanese specialist in August to attend a research institute in Mexico for a Master’s Degree programme. He further said that he hopes to find other qualified specialists in Guyana who can benefit from similar scholarships. “We would be very lucky if we could identify a second Guyanese qualified specialist in order to go to Mexico next August,” he added.
