Executive Director of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Roubinder Rambarran, said at a press briefing that Guyana will be participating at Brazil’s ‘Entrepreneurship Fair’ later this month and is optimistic that a full delegation will be there. He said that of 22 booths, Guyana is guaranteed eight and so far four companies have confirmed participation and others in the areas of pharmaceutical, sea food and processed food are being encouraged to come onboard.

Rambarran stressed that a coordinated approach is being taken by the PSC, in collaboration with Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest).
The 10 by 10 booths are going for US$1,000 per booth, and according to Rambarran, Guyana is in talks with Brazil to lower the cost which is to be borne by the individual companies.
According to him, the fair will focus on a knowledge component, where the transfer of skills and technology will be explored; a product component, where products will be showcased; and business to business relations to advance linkages between the two countries.
Rambarran added that the PSC is partnering with the University of Guyana since Brazil’s Entrepreneurship Fair also focuses on ‘Space for Academic Entrepreneurship’.
He explained that the usual thing is that the majority of university graduates, after completing studies, seek employment, rather than venture into entrepreneurial activities.
In recognition of this, the Executive Director said Guyana can learn from Brazil where mechanisms are in place to support young graduates who wish to become their own employers.
“We are working right now to get a commitment from the university to take students up to the fair,” he said.
Rambarran pointed out that in this regard, the PSC is partnering with a company – Sebrae, the Brazilian Service of Support for Micro and Small Enterprises that encourages Brazil’s entrepreneurship and development.
Sebrae came into being in 1972, the result of a pioneer initiative of many institutions that encourage entrepreneurship in the country. Sebrae stakeholders have visited and consulted with stakeholders here in the last few months.
“Sebrae has contributed significantly to the growth of Brazil’s private sector and we hope that, in partnering with them, there will be a skills transfer to help our development,” he said.
The Executive Director noted that the PSC is also working on an exchange training programme to benefit both countries.
Rambarran observed that Guyana hopes to use similar strategies employed by Brazil to advance entrepreneurship here.
At the end of the day, he observed, Guyana’s delegation will be exposed to a greater opportunity market; will have access to 180 empowerment activities, which include lectures, conferences and seminars; will be engaged in a major international meeting of over 100 companies; and will be able to provide input into four publications, among other benefits.
Rambarran noted that the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) are also being partnered with, in an effort to use the fair as a platform for promoting Guyana’s tourism.

KEY MARKET
Go-Invest Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Geoffrey Da Silva, adding his bit, stated that Brazil is a key market for Guyana’s exports and noted that he is optimistic that the Entrepreneurship Fair will see “results.”
He explained that Guyana has been in talks with Brazil for a while now and the foundation is laid for both countries to advance their partnership.
Currently, a major export to the neighbouring country is flour produced by the National Milling Company (NAMILCO), but Da Silva said there are opportunities for other trade products.
“There are a number of steps to be taken, but I am optimistic,” he said.
The Go-Invest CEO acknowledged that there are challenges, which include the language, the access road and equity in trade between the two countries.
He explained that the language barrier is a problem, but noted that many Guyanese, in particular those living in Lethem, speak Portuguese, and an increasing number of Guyanese are pursuing studying the language. Speaking about the road, Da Silva maintained that there has been progress over the years with the access road and noted that the Government of Guyana is committed to addressing the challenges the road presents.
Brazil also, he said, has indicated its interest in having a proper access road, since it directly affects trade between the two countries.
Relative to equity of trade between the two counties, Da Silva maintained that both countries have committed to working to meet international standards.