Inclement weather notwithstanding…
BERBICE Expo 2010 continued last night, and while turnout for what was supposed to be the second and biggest night of the four-day event was not as was anticipated, it was the creativity that it engendered that will long be remembered. Due to the inclement weather, the event was turned into something of a ‘Long-boots Affair’, with organizers resorting to using sand to make makeshift pathways across the muddied ground, since it was much too late, and too much had already been invested, to shift location or cancel the event altogether.
This ‘minor’ hiccup aside, patrons from across the Ancient County came out in their numbers in support of the annual event, all proud of what their county has to offer.
Some of the older folks who attended last year’s expo acknowledged that the turnout for 2009’s expo was way much better.
“The ground was ram-packed,” one woman recalled.
However, while everyone was in agreement that it was the weather that had affected turnout, people came decked in their colours and immersed themselves in the show of products that both entertained and piqued their curiosity.
One man called what he saw “thought-provoking.”
Coming to the expo, he said, was not only about seeing what the Region has to offer, but also about making the average man think about ways to do more.
The sixth Berbice Expo and Trade Fair 2010 is being held under the theme, ‘Promoting Economic Diversity’.
The event is expected to allow the organizers to showcase what the Berbice region has to offer. It is being held at the Canje Welfare Centre Ground, Region Six (East Berbice / Corentyne).
There are close to 100 booths on display, from both the public and private sectors. They include the Ministries of Agriculture and Tourism, Industry and Commerce; the Pomeroon Women Agro-Processors Association; Ace Veterinary Clinic and Pet Shop; Comfort Sleep; the National Insurance Scheme (NIS); Digicel; the power company, Guyana Power and Light (GPL);  the New Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI); the Government Information Agency (GINA); and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
There were also several arts and crafts producers that had everything under the sun, from leather products to crystal jewellery.
Even face-painting with an assortment of acrylic paints was being done by Mr. Mark Bacchus, a regular at the majority of trade fairs across the country.
There is only one foreign participant at the exposition, and that is Shivam Int’l India, an impressive setup featuring exquisite hand-made furniture straight from Delhi, spices, herbal supplements and Indian wear with accessories to match.
Proprietor, Mr. Rishi Soni told the Guyana Chronicle that participation in the Berbice Expo was a good step for him, as his main aim is to showcase what he has to offer and hopefully form lasting partnerships for trade.
“We have good sales, but it is about many things… good business and long-term relationships,” he said. The majority of the exhibitors concur with this.
On Friday night, Agriculture Minister, Mr. Robert Persaud, and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad put in brief appearances at the trade show.
President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Imran Hamid, told the Guyana Chronicle that the change of location from Albion, allowed for patrons out of Region Six to experience a different part of the Ancient County.
He reiterated that the Corentyne Chamber of Commerce is intent on ensuring that the products available in Berbice, by Berbicians, are properly showcased.
Relative to the security issue, Hamid affirmed that it is being treated as top priority, in that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the private firm, Cops Security Services, have been engaged to ensure that the event is as incident-free as possible.
The Shakti String Orchestra will be providing live entertainment on a nightly basis, and will highlight the night’s cultural activity, which also features performances from the Police Military Band. Indian and African cultural items, as well as performers from an Orealla cultural group and stand-up comedy are expected to be a part of the performances.
The activity this year has been fully sponsored by a number of agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company, Banks DIH, Digicel, the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Nand Persaud and Company limited, NPG Packaging, and Republic Bank.
The Fair ends tomorrow, unless there is a ‘held-over’ by popular demand.