Banks DIH tapped to play bigger role in school feeding programme

Feb 13, 2016 News

President David Granger has reiterated his administration’s support for communities to create jobs in agro-processing so that they can produce commodities for local corporations.

President David Granger addresses Banks DIH staff at Thirst Park. Chairman of the Board of Directors and Managing Director, Clifford Reis is pictured at first, right.

He also praised Banks DIH as a pioneer in manufacturing in Guyana.
The President made the remarks yesterday while addressing staffers of the company, following a tour of the Thirst Park facility.
Following a tour of the factory, the President said that the company is a pacesetter and pioneer and that he is convinced that Guyana’s industrial and business future is being led by a corporation that has a vision and the interest of Guyanese at heart.
“When I look around, the Guyanese employees, the engineers, the expertise, the care they exercise in giving citizens quality products, I really feel very, very proud of you Banks DIH,” President Granger said.
“…This is not just a profiteering company, it is a company that is going to enhance the relationship with communities.”
Communities and villages are very capable of producing raw materials like fruits and milk and other agricultural commodities that could be supplied to companies like Banks, he said. “Communities are where people live and if we can provide employment in the communities, Guyana will not only be a happier country, but this will be a richer company… I do believe that from what I’ve seen today that you will continue to lead us into a realm, an era of economic prosperity,” the President said.

President David Granger examines a freshly-made Trisco biscuit, which is distributed at Nursery and Primary Schools countrywide.

Guyana’s economy has been heavily reliant on the traditional sectors– rice, sugar, timber, bauxite, gold and diamond. These sectors, however, are at the perils of price volatility on the world market. As such, the country must venture into non-traditional areas like agro-processing and manufacturing.
President Granger said that his Government is looking to increase the supply of meals to over 250,000 school children and that Banks DIH can play a significant role in this process.
“I would like to guarantee them healthy, Guyanese meals and what I saw convinces me that this is going to be one of the vanguard companies in providing cheap, nutritious food for our children and our adults,” he said.
At a little over 60 years old, Banks DIH is home to popular household brands like Trisco, I-cee, Homestyle, Demico Ice Cream, rum and a host of other products produced under ISO standards.
Over 800 Guyanese are employed at the Thirst Park facility alone, and the company has branches, outlets and distributors across the country.