Banks DIH to solely distribute Morning Glory Rice Cereals

Local beverage and fast-food giant Banks DIH signed an agreement with Morning Glory Inc (MGI) and the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) to become the sole distributor of the locally-produced Morning Glory Rice Cereals.
The announcement was made by IAST on Sunday via a statement to the media.
IAST said that the growing success of Morning Glory Rice Cereals in the Guyanese market caught the attention of Banks Sales and Marketing Executive, Carlton Joao and it resulted in a tour of the facility in Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast. Joao was reportedly impressed by the plant, its safety and quality protocols and the professionalism of the staff.
Banks already has a partnership with IAST which sees the company using the locally produced Pakaraima Flavours Sundried Tomato Ketchup and Salad Dressings in its Demico fast-food chain and the OMG Restaurant.
The Institute noted that with the existing partnership and the fact that Banks DIH has one of the most comprehensive distribution networks in the country, the decision to partner with it for the distribution of the rice cereals was one that was “easy.”
Chairman of Banks DIH Clifford Reis lamented on the fact that the company has a focus on maximising Guyana’s potential by engaging local people, productive capacity and local resources.
“We are delighted to deepen our partnership with the Institute of Applied Science and Technology by proudly distributing another of the Institute’s innovative products: The Morning Glory brand of rice cereals, which are now produced by Morning Glory Inc. The emphasis of adding value to local agricultural commodities through agro-processing aligns well both at a philosophical level and as a commercial focus for Banks DIH Ltd. Morning Glory Rice Cereals are superior products, equal to and in many cases superior to the imported cereal on local supermarket shelves,” he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, IAST’s Marketing Head Raveena Mangal said: “Securing Banks DIH Limited as the distributor for Morning Glory Rice Cereals is transformative for our young company. Banks is a venerated food and beverage producer in Guyana. To be associated with the Banks brand and to pass their strict requirements for quality and competitiveness is a source of deep pride for Morning Glory staff. Morning Glory is more than just a nutritious, high-quality product – it is a superlative example of Guyanese innovation, Guyanese ability, Guyanese skill and Guyanese pride – Is We Own! The success of Morning Glory underscores and showcases the pivotal role our national science and technology institutions can play in our country’s beckoning future.”
The Morning Glory brand of cereals is manufactured at a state-of-the-art facility in Anna Regina. The project was funded by the Government of Guyana through an initiative led by President Irfaan Ali back in 2014 while he was the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce. The sod was turned for the facility by former President Donald Ramotar, and Dr Ali in March of 2015.
The products and manufacturing process were developed by the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, which also spearheaded the construction of the facility, procured the equipment and operationalised the plant.
The plant has been operational since late 2017 and produces two varieties of the popular rice cereals: Original and Jaggy the Jaguar Rice Krunch. Both products are available in 225g and 500g packets.
Since late 2017, the Morning Glory products have steadily increased their market share and in the process, Morning Glory has become a household name in Guyana. The Morning Glory Rice Cereals are manufactured using greater than 99.5 per cent locally sourced materials and are nutritionally augmented by a vitamin cocktail which is specifically designed for the Caribbean diet.
The Morning Glory Rice Cereal won the 2019 Guyana National Bureau of Standards National Quality Award and Green Initiative Award for Agro-Processing.