Sri Lanka and Cuba strengthen cooperation in sugarcane industry

Wednesday, 25 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Minister of Sugar Industry Development Lakshman Senewirathne visited Cuba from 31 May to 2 June accompanied by the Chairman of the Sugarcane Research Institute of Sri Lanka Cyril Suduwella and Private Secretary to the Minister Ajith Pathirana. The visit was primarily focused on promoting mutually beneficial collaboration and opportunities in sugarcane cultivation practices, management of plantations, technology transfer, sharing of knowledge and expertise, new varieties and cultivars, pest and disease control, value addition, exchange of planting material and experts etc., among other areas of interest to both countries.

At official talks with Orlando Celo Garcia Ramrez, Chairman of AZCUBA Group, the Government-owned corporation managing Cuba’s sugar industry, Minister Senewirathne emphasised the significant steps taken by Sri Lanka to develop and modernize the sugarcane industry in Sri Lanka aimed at meeting the local demand for sugar and making it a profitable venture. Elaborating on the need to strengthen bilateral and multilateral frameworks of sugar producing countries, the Minister appreciated Cuba’s support and assistance for the development of sugarcane industries of like-minded countries, including Sri Lanka.

The Chairman of AZCUBA on his part welcomed the Sri Lankan Minister and accompanying officials to Cuba and assured his fullest support and cooperation to Sri Lanka. Both sides also agreed to implement the decisions taken at the meeting, including the signing of an MOU and exploring ways and means of helping each other with a view to harnessing resources at their disposal for the benefit of the two countries. During their brief stay, the Sri Lankan delegation also visited sugar cane plantations, advanced R&D facilities, high-tech production and processing centres and gained a first-hand knowledge and experience of the Cuban sugarcane industry and facilities.