In what is being seen in the local retail industry as a step in the direction of closer collaboration between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in the food distribution sector, the popular Trinidadian food distribution brand, Coss Cutters, through its Farm, East Bank Demerara outlet, has teamed up with the Guyana Marketing Corporation’s Guyana Shop to help to accelerate the distribution of locally produced foods and other consumer items here.
Formally inaugurated on Saturday February 22 in an atmosphere that reflected the broader spirit of revelry associated with the 50th anniversary of Guyana’s attainment of Independence, what the organisers described as a Mini Mash Market attracted 40 local manufacturers including high-profile brands like Umami, NAMILCO, Sterling Products and Taste Setters and other local producers like Indigenous Oil, SS Fruit Flavoured BBQ and Natural Choice. The Guyana School of Agriculture, which continues to play a major role in the development of the local agro-processing sector, was also represented at the event.
While estimates of popular participation in the event described the attendance as “moderate,” that cementing of a relationship between the GMC and Coss Cutters aimed at advancing the promotion of local products was considered to be an occurrence of significance that was probably a matter of greater import than the numbers that attended the event.
As is customary with events of this nature, the occasion provided yet another opportunity to put on display samples of the new generation of agro-produce, including various brands of coconut water, pepper sauce, soaps, cake mix, coconut oils, and beauty products that now claim space on local supermarket shelves. Some agro- processors have told the Stabroek Business that this development has provided them with encouragement to press on with their production pursuits.
Last Friday’s event allowed for the creation of a Guyana Corner at the Coss Cutters outlet and Stabroek Business understands that a similar ‘Corner’ will be situated in the Sheriff Street Coss Cutters outlet. This newspaper also understands that the present arrangement at the Farm Coss Cutters outlet is to be extended to allow for additional local products to find space on the shelves of the country’s prominent supermarkets.
Last Friday’s event took place against the back drop of what is currently being seen among some local manufacturers as Trinidad and Tobago’s protectionist posture that applies non- tariff barriers which effectively prohibits a range of locally produced goods from entering the twin-island republic.
Up to a few weeks ago efforts to break the logjam were being pursued between the two countries through diplomatic channels.
