ANSA McAL riding Guyana’s development trajectory 30 years on

…Minister Walrond pushes for inclusion of local businesses

According to Anthony N. Sabga III, the “ANSA” component of ANSA McAL was birthed in Guyana in the 1960s, while his grandfather worked to develop what would become a thriving business across the Caribbean region many, many years later.

Sabga’s utterances, serving as a testimony to the commitment of his family, and by extension that of their company, to the Guyanese market in which they operate, were made as the company celebrated its 30th anniversary of operation in Guyana, beginning in 1992.
The ambience at the Guyana Marriott Hotel in Kingstown on Friday last truly befitted the Company’s elite ranking; and, of course, in terms of top-ranking, the gathering of business and marketing executives from within and around Guyana could not be complete without the presence of several of ANSA’s trademark beverages swishing around in glasses. Punctuating the chatter that engulfed the room was a history of the Company, presented by former and current Managing Directors: Beverly Harper, Now Country Head of ANSA McAL; and Troy Cadogan, current Managing Director thereof. It was a history that boasted the involvement of numerous Guyanese stalwarts, like Paul Chan-A-Sue.

“…even then, he saw the beautiful opportunities this country had to offer,” Sabga shared as he revisited the memory of his late grandfather, the renowned Dr. Anthony N. Sabga I.

Chronicling ANSA’s growth throughout the years, the younger Sabga enlightened the gathering about the Company’s intentions in the prestigious presence of Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Executive President of the Republic of Guyana. He posited, “I wish to affirm unequivocally (that) we remain steadfastly poised to deepen our partnership with the Government and people of Guyana in this very exciting phase of Guyana’s development. We’re proud to be part of the landscape, part of this progressive country that recognises the importance of not just building for the sake of building, but building for economic resilience.”
Sabga and ANSA McAL were resolved to not allow this anniversary to pass without a true commemoration. In what is perhaps a manifestation of their drive to ‘light up’ the East Coast corridor on which the company’s Headquarters are currently based, the CEO announced that the company would be illuminating the Cumming’s Lodge Jubilee Arch.

“This year, as part of the celebration of our 30th anniversary in Guyana, we’re currently furnishing this arch with solar panels and solar lighting. The lights will be officially powered on in December of this year, and will illuminate the city and surrounding communities,” Sabga III explained.
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond meanwhile embraced the opportunity to put forth a challenge to the conglomerate. ANSA McAL have, in their time operating in Guyana, branched out from just products and beverage distribution. With subsidiaries like Guyana Breweries Inc, ANSA Motors, I Radio, T.Wee, The Colour Shop and ANSA Mini Mart, the Guyanese Minister is hoping that the platform can be used to propel Guyanese products.
“As we look forward to your next 30 years in Guyana, I wish – as I’m always inclined to do on these occasions – to extend a challenge,” Walrond said in addressing the gathering. Turning her full attention to ANSA McAL, she reminded, “At the launching of the minimart facility last July, my challenge to you was to maximise the offerings of Guyanese products in your retail offerings, to give our products more prominence and place amongst the others in your inventory. You took up that challenge.
“The occasion of a 30-year anniversary demands something more substantial, but we can think of it as not so much of a challenge, but an invitation. I would challenge or invite you to think of what the economic landscape in Guyana would be like in the year 2052 with the benefit of a 30-year plan.”
As such, Walrond laid her cards on the table, stating, “What we would like to see is ANSA being not only a distributor in Guyana for foreign products, but a distributor overseas for Guyanese products.”
Couple with her Ministry’s ventures, such as the recently-commissioned Business Incubator at Berbice, Walrond believes the foregoing proposition can do wonders for the growth of local businesses.
“With purposed action and impact of partners like ANSA McAL, it is entirely possible that Caribbean and, indeed, global brands can emerge from the ranks of our agro- processors,” a very confident Walrond explained. (Jemima Holmes)