Basseterre, St. Kitts (October 07, 2005): General Manager of the Eastern Caribbean Group of Companies Dr. Julian Ferdinand said that his corporation is committed to progressive partnerships, individual and regional development, as well as high quality products.
At a press conference yesterday at the Ocean Terrace Inn (OTI) Dr. Ferdinand said that as the ECGC motto states "Excellence through team work" likewise his company promotes the creation of synergies within the region. He further noted that as these partnerships are forged it will signal a new way of thinking that is essential in order for the region's businesses to survive as preferential treatment in trade is removed.
The ECGC General Manager noted that his company is committed to building and strengthening the people of the region. This is being done not only in terms of skills obtained from workshops inicluding baking and animal husbandry but also in terms of things like discipline, dignity and integrity that can be derived through sports.
Dr. Ferdinand added that the company stands firmly behind its products since it manufactures high quality products.
He said ECGC's quality standards go throughout it system and emphasized that all along the production line regular checks are done on the ingredients and the product as it is made. As such, he said that his company was comfortable with quality checks by independent sources and encouraged such.
ECGC Marketing Manager Mr. Martin LaBorde who shared the Press Conference head table with Dr. Ferdinand said that ECGC is employing a new strategy to fit into the changing business environment. Part of this new process is expansion beyond the boundaries of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to OECS countries and the wider Caribbean. Toward this end ECGC had made a significant investment in Guyana by purchasing one of the larger rice operations.
The Marketing Manager emphasized that the full operation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) will further promote the company's vision of regional expansion.
Mr. LaBorde revealed that he attended an earlier business meeting where it was suggested that with the closure of the sugar cane industry ECGC should consider investing since lands would be available in St. Kitts.
He stressed that while ECGC would not deny itself a viable investment opportunity, a specific proposal would have to come from a national and it would have to be a win-win situation for all parties involved.
An ECGC delegation is presently in the Federation taking part in the Caribbean Week of Agriculture which runs from October 03 to 08, 2005.
