-Brazilian presence to make it even spicier
THE much-anticipated Linden Expo 2011, which is expected to be bigger this year, was officially launched Wednesday.
According to a release from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development (LCICD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST) has begun preparations for the mining township’s second Annual Trade Fair and Exposition, in anticipation that it will be bigger and more attractive than the first, held last year.
This year’s exposition will be staged from April 29 to May 1, 2011 at the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition Centre, as part of the Linden Town Week observance scheduled for the last week in April.
Launching the event at the Linden Enterprise Network Building under the theme, ‘Moving Ahead – Responding to the Challenges of Free Trade’, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr Manniram Prashad, gave his word that his Ministry would be working closely with, and supporting the organizers, which support is inclusive of lending them  technical support since the agency has the experience needed to host such mega events, having successfully brought of  GuyExpo and the Main Big Lime.
He said the reason the Ministry is throwing its weight behind the event is because it wants to ensure that the highly-anticipated exposition is pulled off successfully and at a  high standard.
One of the things he would like to see coming out of this expo, the minister said, is the creation of linkages and joint ventures between local entrepreneurs and their Brazilian counterparts.
The Linden Expo, which is included on the Ministry’s calendar of events, he said, is expecting a large delegation from SEBRAE (the Portuguese acronym for Brazil Micro and Small Business Support Organisation), which will augur well for them to network, seek business opportunities and do some ‘match-making’.
Noting that there is room enough here for cross-border trade, and that Linden can be the hub for a number of economic activities, Minister Prashad said Lindeners should position themselves to capitalize on these opportunities, using the exposition as an opportunity for them to catapult forward and realise their potential.
He said  the Government can create the enabling environment but the private sector has to go out there and invest, create opportunities and develop the areas.
Participating companies spawning from wholesale, distribution, manufacturing, financial, business development, tourism and educational services and arts and craft, among others, are expected to take part in the three-day event which is excepted to attract a large number of visitors including foreigners, the release stated.
Minister Prashad said marketing and packaging is important, hence, Ministry would be looking to host a seminar for exhibitors on the way they should present their products and services.
The very first successful expo in 2010 attracted the participation of forty-eight companies, and there is currently increased interest by companies to exhibit at Linden Expo 2011 with expected participation of eight Brazilian companies from diverse sectors.
Also present at the simple launching were President of the LCICD, Mr. Marvin Burns; Coordinator of National and Other Events, Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Avalon Jagnandan; and Deputy Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Ms. Tameca Sukhdeo-Singh.