WIRSPA: Rum producers facing challenge
ALTHOUGH the rum industries in Barbados and other CARIFORUM countries continue to do well and to contribute to economic development, there are still many challenges facing regional rum producers.
This point was raised Monday night by Dr. Frank Ward, the Chairman of the West Indies Rum and Spirit Producers Association (WIRSPA). Speaking at a WIRSPA function at the Accra Beach Resort, Dr. Ward said that the industry plays an important role in the economic well-being of CARIFORUM member countries.
He stated that the industry not only brings in substantial foreign exchange for member countries, but also provides employment and has linkages with other sectors.
“It has become an iconic product of the region for which we can be justifiably proud,” the WIRSPA official noted. Rum exported from Barbados last year brought in about $80 million in foreign exchange.
According to Dr. Ward, the Rum industry is a model for private sector cooperation in the Caribbean region. “We have done many many things together over the years. We have had numerous successes, we have had hiccups, but nonetheless, we have managed to advance the interest of the industry, not only for the owners of the companies themselves but also for the well-being of the community at large,” he said.
Officials of rum-producing companies in the region are in Barbados for a series of meetings. They attended the function as well as Barbados Minister of Industry and International Business, Commerce and Small Business Development, Donville Inniss and representatives from the European Union office. A highlight of the evening was the sampling of some of the rums on display.
Dr. Ward further stated the WIRSPA members still face a number of challenges on an ongoing basis, adding that we are very vigilant in being aware of those issues which would at the very least compromised our ability to compete effectively.
Saying it is an export industry, Dr. Ward maintained that a lot of the revenue earned from rum comes from sales in export markets.
“We have challenges which we are facing and will continue to face and these challenges are primarily centred around our ability to compete in some jurisdictions which we consider to be unfair competition for rum, which derives unfair subsidies,” he said.
The official said they had been attempting to deal with this matter for a number of years. “It is a very very long road ahead of us … and we will continue to fight,” added.