The Caribbean Millers’ Association (CMA) held its 16th Annual General Meeting at La Creole Beach Hotel and Spa in Guadeloupe from December 4–5, 2012, under the theme “The Future of Flour Milling: A More Inspired Approach to Value-Creation”.
Representatives from some fourteenflour mills in twelve countries, viz. Barbados, Belize, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Vincent & the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago participated.
The meeting opened with a Public Session, chaired by Mr. Franck Desalme of Grand Moulins de Antilles and saw contributions from the outgoing President of the CMA and officials in Guadeloupe representing both the political and private sectors. Mr. Jocelyn Mire, Vice President of the Region gave a brief overview of the political climate in the European Union, of which Guadeloupe is an integral part. He emphasized the need to produce a quality product as customers become more demanding. Mr. Jean-Michel Penchard, Vice President of the Guadeloupe Chamber of Commerce delivered an interesting discourse on the challenges facing the business climate in Guadeloupe and expressed an interest in becoming more involved in the Caribbean region. He mentioned that the Chamber recently celebrated eighty years of existence.
Bert Sukhai gave the Vote of Thanks and extended an invitation to the special invitees to remain for the presentations.
The Business Session commenced after the formal opening ceremony and saw presentations from the following companies:
- SCANCO – Quality & Profitability All The Way from Grain Receiving to Flour Compounding using NIR Technology.
- Muhlenchemie – Novel Enzyme Options for Flour improvement
- OCRIM – The Mill in Your Hands
- F’Energy – Maintenance, Cryogenic Cleaning
- Agriprotect – Insecticide Treatment of Stored Grain
- Kansas City Bags – Packaging for the Caribbean Islands
- BUHLER INC. NORTH AMERICA – Innovative Milling
- CWB – CWB Wheat Report
- The Money Farm – US & World Wheat Situation
The Working Session of the Conference saw updates from various country delegates giving insights into the political, economic and security climate in the region. Concern was expressed about the possibility of the Government of Trinidad & Tobago pursuing the removal of the CET on flour throughout the CARICOM region, as well as an influx of frozen dough in the region and its preferential treatment. Overall, the region is suffering the effects of the recession in the developed world, but most have managed to maintain economic stability. Where elections were held these were conducted in a free and fair manner.
The CMA sees itself playing a more meaningful role to represent its members and decided they will be seeking membership status in COTED.
CMA Executive for administrative year 2013 & 2014
(L-R) Bert Sukhai, President, Karlene Nicholls, 1st Vice President, Tom Sowden, 2ndVice President,
Derrick Nembhard, Secretary/Treasurer
The Association elected a new executive for the ensuing two years. These are as follows:
- President – Mr. Bert Sukhai, Managing Director of National Milling Company of Guyana
- 1st Vice President – Mrs. Karlene Nicholls, Sales Manager, ADM Barbados Mills Limited
- 2nd Vice President – Mr. Tom Sowden of Kansas City Bags.
- The Secretary/Treasurer remains Mr. Derrick Nembhard – GM, Jamaica Flour Mills.
Mr. Elvis DeRiggs, Chief Operating Officer of East Caribbean Flour Mills, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who was president of the CMA for the past two years was acclaimed for his valuable contribution during his tenure.
The CMA would like to thank Mr. Xavier Moussac and the Grand Moulins des Antilles for hosting the conference and also its Sponsors, AgriChem, Buhler, Caravan Ingredients, CWB, GAPSA Grains, Manyan Inc. and Ocrim for the lunches and snacks provided.
The 17th AGM will be held in the Dominican Republic in December 2013.
DEC
2012
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