Suri Trading commissions a multimillion-dollar warehouse at Diamond

– investment tantamount with Govt’s vision to advance development – Pres Ali

Investments are changing the landscape and economic fabric of Guyana and the latest is the opening of a spanking new warehouse at Plantation Little Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara by Suri Trading – one of Guyana’s largest distributors of food, beverage, and hygiene products.
After outgrowing its Eccles location, the new facility was established and commissioned on Saturday by President Irfaan Ali, who pointed out the macro vision the Government shares and how these investments add to this ecosystem.
“We are now advancing development because developments spur development. Then if we have no roads, we would not have this. If we did not have this, we would not have the housing. If there would be no housing, there would be no demand for your products. This is how it happens. The ecosystem is completely integrated,” the Head of State underscored.

In creating a branded and integrated hub, Ali noted that the country has to work on building its indigenous capacity. But in doing this, filling all employment gaps is critical.
“We have to increase production, increase yield, and our product range. That speaks to quality, construction, and technology, and that is what we’re investing in…Whilst we’re bridging the gap with integration, we are building up the local capacity. And this is not just talking.”
In the aspect of employment, the President shared, “It’s how you view education and how you view jobs. That is a reality we have to change. We came up in an environment where we think a job is too demeaning for my children…We are short in the labour force. How is it that you increase your net revenue at the end of the month?”

However, Chief Executive Officer of Suri Trading, Frank Sanichara noted that this is a stepping stone to many warehouses that will be constructed in the future. The business would have encountered several challenges and setbacks to get where it is, he emphasised.
“We’re rapidly expanding into our food line. So hopefully within the next year, we’ll be in the process of procuring some excellent food items…We’re hoping to put up a warehouse like this in Berbice because the economy is growing very fast. So, we see that there is a need for it here.”
Suri Trading employs over 100 persons. The company continues to grow and has expanded to Trinidad and Grenada with plans to include Jamaica as well. There is also the intention to commence production but Sanichara noted that technical labour remains a challenge.
He added, “Employment inflation is another thing that’s affecting us here. Most of the brains of the country are heading out to the oil companies and the subcontractors of the oil companies and you can’t blame them because they’re being well paid.”
President of the GCCI, Timothy Tucker related that the company has shown resiliency and diversification as he urged for Guyanese products to be on the regional market.
“Do what was not done for you by reaching out to local manufacturers and taking those products and distributing those as well…Put Guyanese products in those countries. Work with Banks DIH to be their distributor outside of Guyana. You are the ideal person to be Guyana’s distributor throughout the Caribbean,” Tucker encouraged.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheong, expressed that the warehouse is a testimony to Suri’s willingness to go above and beyond to service the local market, and create employment opportunities and confidence to invest in the economy.
“This expansion will contribute positively to the economic development in the year and provide a significant boost to economic development. In addition, the opening of the new warehouse demonstrates continued growth and success. It reflects the company’s commitment to innovation, investment in infrastructure efforts to keep up with Guyana’s changing market demands.”
According to Minister within the Housing Ministry Susan Rodrigues, businesses can only thrive in a positive investment climate. In this light, she highlighted the importance of visionary leadership.
“It is important for them to have an economy in our country in which they are allowed to thrive. And that is very, very critical. That takes visionary leadership. A lot of people questioned the investments that we have been making in infrastructure. What to do, we’re coming in here and we see there’s still more work to do,” Rodrigues underscored.
She signalled that Guyanese anywhere in the diaspora can make an application online should they want to invest. Through this technology, fairness and transparency in the system is achieved.
“It removes all subjectivity from the system. And so, we are moving towards a Government that relies heavily on technology. We understand the importance of harnessing technology and overall development and in many, many sectors you will see this transition over to digitising everything and this is important for governance for accountability, and transparency,” she concluded. (G-12)