European Union responds to criticism

The European Union has responded to criticisms from a Guyanese Government Minister that the actions of the EU have resulted in challenges for the country’s sugar industry.



Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud recently said that the sugar industry is expected to experience losses of $34.1 billion annually due to the cut in the price of sugar exported to the EU.



However, the EU said it has made funding available to Guyana for it to reform the sugar industry.



It said the country has been provided with more than $19 million euros this year.



The EU says to date a total of $33.4 million euros has been given to Guyana under the Poverty Reduction Budget Support, which disbursed funds to help to bridge gaps in the national budget.