President challenges Starbucks to explore using Pomeroon coffee

International Coffee chain Starbucks will open its doors to business on Tuesday. The first of five stores will open at the Amazonia Mall, East Bank Demerara.

President Dr Irfaan Ali welcomed the brand to Guyana and challenged it to explore using locally grown coffee from the Pomeroom (Region Two). He said this will allow the brand to improve its relationship with local community.

“I welcome you to the land of Liberica (Pomeroon coffee) and I hope that in your brand, this unique coffee would be sold.

“And this unique coffee will be grown in commercial quantities so that people could enjoy it because of its rareness. This is a project I would challenge Starbucks Guyana to work with us on,” President Ali said at a special VIP launch Monday afternoon.

Back in March, 2022, the company announced its market entry here. This new branch adds to some 85 markets globally for the company that has been in existence for over 27 years.

The new location is being operated by the Prestige Holdings from Trinidad and Tobago. The company has been running a branch there for seven years. According to the Chief Executive Officer, Simon Hardy, this café will provide employment and a serene atmosphere for Guyanese.

“Our investment with the bringing the new Starbucks brand to the people of Guyana will create opportunities for our partners through the jobs we create and suppliers of goods and products and hopefully many more to come,” Hardy said.

He further announced that Starbucks is collaborating with the Save Abee Foundation to improve the lives of many. Starbucks is known not only for its coffees but also for its charitable work around the world. The Save Abee Foundation aims to provide education and quality of life to children living in poverty around the world.

The Starbucks brand and mission and value is “to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one persons, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time.”

President Ali also said this location is convenient because it adds value to the commercialisation of the business.

He said that the government is developing many road networks, housing schemes and private investors are also aware of the potential the country holds for economic growth.

“One of the important aspects of this launch is the recognition from an important global band and Guyana is market of opportunities.

“The recognition from a global brand that not being in this market is not being part of the action, not being part of the thorough trajectory that various investors are following,” the President said.