Gaico Construction and General Services Inc. has partnered with United States–based sugar distributor Sucro Limited to develop a modern sugar refinery at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara, an investment expected to significantly boost the sector across the region.
The new facility, to be operated under Demerara Sugar Refinery Inc, will be constructed at the former Wales Sugar Estate.
Speaking at the launch on Tuesday at the Pegasus Hotel, GAICO’s Chief Executive Officer, Komal Singh, said construction is expected to begin in January 2026, with completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Singh said the refinery will play a critical role in revitalising the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuyCuCo) and strengthening Guyana’s broader economy by transforming raw sugar into a value-added product for the Caribbean market.
“This project is transformational for GuySuCo and the entire sugar industry. We are working with GuySuCo to improve productivity by taking their excess sugar and refining it into white sugar,” Singh said.
Singh also said that the refinery will utilise rice husk as a renewable energy source, an environmentally focused solution that could reduce smoke pollution near rice mills.
“We now have an opportunity to take all the rice husk, use it in our plant, and convert it into energy for white sugar production,” he said.
Sucro Limited already operates refineries in Belize and Trinidad, and the addition of the Guyana refinery is expected to expand regional refining capacity and strengthen supply to the CARICOM market.
Sucro President and CEO Jonathan Taylor said the initiative will be a fully regional enterprise.
“We have production in Belize, Guyana, and Trinidad, and distribution across the islands. In that respect, this business is truly a CARICOM business from cane right through to the consumer,” Taylor said.
Taylor added that the partnership with GAICO and GuySuCo will modernise the sector using advanced refining and liquefaction technologies.
“Instead of just exporting the sugar and passing the value onto other countries and other refineries, we’re refining it right here with efficient technology that really passes that value back down. It’s world-class liquefying and world-class solutions, and what it leads to is a world-class refined sugar project right here,” Taylor said.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, emphasised the significance of partnering with global industry leaders.
“The potential is tremendous. The Caribbean market for refined sugar is at least 100,000 tonnes per year. Last year, CARICOM imported over US$180 million worth of refined sugar, and we now have an opportunity to meet the needs of that entire market,” the minister said.
Construction of the Demerara Sugar Refinery marks a major step in Guyana’s ongoing efforts to modernise and expand its agricultural and value-added sectors.
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