BERBICE Expo and Trade Fair 2010 was officially inaugurated on Thursday under the theme ‘Promoting Economic Diversity’. The sixth such annual event would, again, allow the organisers to showcase what the ‘Ancient County’ has to offer, from July 23 to 26, at Canje Welfare Centre Ground.
Organised by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and being touted as the biggest exposition in Berbice over the past five years, it is on the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce calendar.
At the function, in Rose Hall Estate Staff Club, Canje, Minister with the portfolio, Mr. Manniram Prashad congratulated the Chamber’s new President, Mr. Imrad Hamid and his executives and said they need more cooperation from the other Berbice chambers.
He assured that his ministry will give whatever assistance it can, acknowledging the commissioning of the fire station at Rose Hall and a training school, two projects which were driven by the Central Corentyne Chamber.
Prashad said it is good that the show will take place in Canje because President Bharrat Jagdeo said, on the last occasion, that he wants it to be hosted throughout the length and breadth of Berbice and it is happening.
Acknowledging that the Canje ground is not as big as the one at Albion,  Prashad, however, said that, with good organising and positioning of the booths, the showcasing can be successful.
The minister also cautioned the Chamber not to allow any one sponsor to hijack the staging.
“We don’t do that at GuyExpo. If you want to sponsor, we put you in a spot of your choice approved by us and you can brand in that area,” he advised.
Prashad said, for the July duration, exhibitors will be promoting trade and products mainly from Berbice, to attract people countrywide and further afield.
Reminding that it is a Ministry calendar event, he said it has been posted on the Ministry’s website and proliferated in all the Guyana overseas missions.
“If we can maintain this last weekend in July for next year, it would also be on our calendar event, so that people can plan their business trips and vacation to come back home and see what Berbice has,” he suggested.
Prashad said many people are coming back to be present and have been enquiring about it.
INVESTORS
He said investors are going to come and Guyanese, including Berbicians, are remigrating because Guyana is a haven or a paradise for investment.
Taking note of the infrastructural developments in that county, Prashad mentioned the Berbice River Bridge, roads and drainage.
“Almost every aspect of infrastructural development has advanced in Berbice,” he declared, adding: “So, whilst Government has spent a lot of money to create the environment for investment, the Private Sector would have to work in partnership with it to capitalise and develop businesses in this region.”
Prashad emphasised that Berbice is now being transformed into a unique tourist destination and, towards that objective, Government has invested a lot of money at Number 63 beach, Corentyne, for refurbishing the facilities last year.
He alluded to the developments at Cow Falls and Orealla, along Corentyne River, where tourists are also being attracted.
Prashad said Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) will be having a booth at the expo and tour operators should also go and showcase their products as there is need to show off Berbice in that light.
He referred to the industrial estate being developed at Belvedere, Corentyne, noting that although more works are to be done, business people want to go there and start, which is welcome.
Prashad challenged the Central Corentyne Chamber and others to begin the process of getting applications for a few businesses there, as soon as possible, like what is happening at Lethem.
Hamid reported that expos over the past five years have been successes, incident free and exhibitors have had their money’s worth.
He said they are looking forward to more exhibitors this year and gave the assurance that there will be adequate security provided by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and a private security firm.
Hamid thanked the Government of Guyana, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, GuySuCo, sponsors and exhibitors for participating in the venture.
Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha also commended the Chamber for sustaining the activity.
He said such activities help tremendously, not only the business sector but to bring development into the community and people look to the annual exposition.