THE biggest local trade and investment exposition, GuyExpo will this year promote Guyanese products in sync with the low carbon strategy.

Speaking about it in his ministry South Road, Georgetown boardroom, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and Co-Chair of GuyExpo 2009 Planning Committee, Mr. Manniram Prashad said a lot of interest has already been generated from senior Government members in the Caribbean.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad (at right) and Co-Chairman of the GuyExpo 2009 Planning Committee, Mr. Derrick Cummings unveils this year’s theme ‘Promoting Business in a Low Carbon Environment’.

It is scheduled for the National Exhibition Centre at Sophia from September 24 to 29 under the theme ‘Promoting Business in a Low Carbon Environment’.

He recalled that in 2007, it was themed ‘Partnering for Progress’ towards joint ventures with other countries and that is still being pursued.

Prashad stated that year saw the largest Guyexpo in terms of participation, programmes and feedback.

“We expect wider international participation this year from all the responses we have been getting,” he said, revealing that to date about 15 countries have indicated their intention to participate.

Prashad said, based on queries and feedbacks apart from Caribbean countries and India, China and Singapore which participated in last GuyExpo, there are signals from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and Suriname, as well.

He recalled that, last year, due to the hosting of the tenth Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA X), GuyExpo was not hosted but persons were still calling for it, as it helps in promoting business.

Prashad said the 2009 theme is in keeping with the recently unveiled national Low Carbon Development Strategy by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

He said the Head of State has been a sought after speaker on climate change throughout the world and people want to know why Guyana is paying such keen attention to climate change and global warming.

Prashad answered: “Well, we have to because most of our businesses are located on the coast and with rising sea levels, we will be prone to some of those effects.

“It is in our interest to make sure that we look after our environment.”

He maintained it is important for tourism that Guyana’s pristine rainforests be preserved.

Alluding to the Kyoto Protocol, Prashad said: “We will be looking at Copenhagen and see if standing rainforests can be rewarded.”

He said Guyana, therefore, will be pursuing vigorously with other countries throughout the world, promotion of a low carbon environment.

Prashad reminded that Guyana is already in partnership with Norway and said: “We want to make sure we touch every sector and every strata of the country and make them more aware of what we are doing nationally.”

In keeping with the objective of showcasing Guyana’s excellence and local produce for export, he said a seminar will be conducted prior to GuyExpo, in collaboration with Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST)during which exhibitors and investors from the Caribbean and further afield will be briefed on Guyana’s business climate and how to do business here.

The event is slated for the eve of GUYEXPO 2009 and Prashad said participants will be addressed by a strong panel of experts and individuals.

Touching on the security and parking aspects, he said the final details are being worked out with the relevant authorities but noted that the new Dennis Street entrance will ease a lot of congestion.

In terms of noise nuisance, Prashad mentioned, the involvement of nearby Lamaha Gardens community whose residents will be invited.

“We are not bribing them but we are making them a part of this event,” he insisted.

DEVELOPMENT
Prashad said the GuyExpo Committee will be working closely with the community in the interest of development in the country.

“Even before this launch, we already have, I would say about 70 per cent of the booth spaces taken up because people are saying they want their regular spots,” he announced.

Reiterating that GuyExpo has become very popular, Prashad expressed confidence that it will be well organised and executed as the feedback and improvement in business is important.

He said, whilst there is the serious side of promoting local products there is the lighter side for people and their families to enjoy themselves.

Prashad said there has been a lot of response from the diaspora and to this end, the air lines are on board to arrange extra flights if necessary, during this period.

Another new aspect of GuyExpo he said is a food court following the building of a series of food huts just off the stage during Carifesta.

He said a plan similar to the International Bar will be followed with local and foreign delicacies.

Additionally, Prashad said, for the first time Guyana Arts and Craft Producers Association will be advising the planning committee.

He said there are more than 100 booths for craft producers.

“The response has been so overwhelming that we have asked the Association to advise us because we do not want too much duplication and we want products of a very high standard.”

Prashad said everybody plays a major part in making the show successful.

Already the longest sustained exhibition in the Caribbean over six days, he said it is hoped to make GuyExpo self-financing and will not ask the Government to advance any money.

“We are hoping that GuyExpo will pay for itself and any excess monies will go towards improving the bridges, culverts and other infrastructure that we have there,” he stated.

“We are concentrating more on the end product and the amount of businesses that will come away from GuyExpo feeling that their exhibits will make an impact on overseas buyers,” Prashad asserted.

“Because we are trying to get into the export market through the National Competitive Strategy (NCS) which is a public and private sector partnership arrangement, GuyExpo, with its public/private partnership, is the end result we want.” he repeated.

Co-Chair of the GUYEXPO 2009 Planning Committee, Mr. Derrick Cummings, acknowledging the current global and economic crises, said developing countries like Guyana are faced with two main options in responding.

CHOICES
He said their choices were: “Either blame the state of their economy on the imprudent financial regulatory mismanagement of the developed world, therefore opting to concentrate their efforts on obtaining balance of payments support from those developed countries, even as they are grappling with their own economic downturn that require huge capital injections”.

“Or assess the unique strengths of the vulnerable small states, determine how these strengths can be transformed into a marketable product and through application of innovative strategies, attract international attention and endorsement leading to significant economic gains for the state,” he offered.

Observing that Guyana has pursued macro-economic policies that have resulted in it not experiencing too adverse an effect of the global crisis, Cummings Cummings said it has boldly unveiled the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

He said the theme and thrust of GuyExpo 2009 should be seen in this context.

“Our exhibitors will therefore be encouraged to emphasise this aspect of Guyana’s intent while including those elements they so nobly displayed that served to make GuyExpo 2007 the best ever event of its kind.

“Needless to say, we anticipate that GuyExpo 2009 would surpass the unprecedented acclaim of the 2007 exposition,” he said.

The planning committee for GuyExpo 2009 also comprises representatives of Government and State agencies and the Private Sector.

The major trade show has been staged for several years now and aims to create the enabling environment for businesses to develop and grow by advertising locally produced goods and services to local and foreign investors.

It has grown over the years and has become a national calendar event, attracting interest from the Caribbean and further afield.