By Marvin Cato | HGP Nightly News
Georgetown, Guyana – Abigail John, the dynamic entrepreneur behind Propa Local Wines, has expanded her brand with the introduction of Propa Local Tea, earning a renewed “Made in Guyana” certification from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).
John credited her achievement to perseverance and a profound family legacy.
“My creativity and drive did not happen overnight—they are the fruit of a rich family legacy. I come from a line of proud farmers who worked the soil, educators who molded minds, and business owners who paved the way,” she said.
This marks the second certification for John’s brand, which has garnered strong local support. The entrepreneur is now looking to make an even greater impact on the national and international markets.
President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar, praised John’s contribution to showcasing authentic Guyanese products:
“Congratulations Abigail. Just like everyone else, I am proud to say that this is local and it comes from Buxton. She is breaking the mold and rapidly expanding her brand on the local market.”
John underscored the importance of tourism in promoting local products:
“When people travel, they want what is local—they want to taste what we produce, they want to taste our hands.”
Ramkumar further encouraged hotels and hospitality businesses to showcase Propa Local Wines and Teas in their lobbies, describing them as an accurate representation of Guyanese heritage.
Meanwhile, GNBS Executive Director Trevor Bassoo highlighted the rapid growth of John’s six-month-old tea line:
“This business was first certified in August last year after satisfying the requirements of the Made in Guyana program. Today, we are proud that this certification will be extended. Propa Local Tea has already outpaced all other products in the Propa Local brand collection.”
With the renewed certification, Abigail John is expected to continue leaving a bigger footprint in Guyana’s business landscape and beyond, demonstrating the power of local innovation and resilience.
