– expected to be bigger and brighter this year
BERBICE Expo and Trade Fair 2011 which is expected to be bigger and brighter this year, was officially launched on Friday last under the theme ‘Promoting Agri Businesses and Tourism’.

The seventh such annual event organised by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) would, again, allow the organisers to showcase what the ‘Ancient County’ has to offer, from July 22 to 25, this time at its original venue – Albion Sports Complex.

The organising committee said that about 75 per cent of its booths are already booked, and acknowledged sponsors, including the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

The expo was officially launched by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Manniram Prashad  in Albion Sports Club on the Corentyne coast.

Minister Prashad congratulated the Chamber for up-    keeping the event and commended the organising committee for the continuous improvements in the expo seen over the years.

Wishing them a successful 2011 expo, the Minister said he is extremely impressed with the CCCC and the work it has been carrying out, and challenged other chambers in Essequibo and other areas to host such annual expo.

Alluding to the public-private partnership, he reminded that Berbice Expo is part of his Ministry’s calendar of events, and people both locally and internationally now look forward to Berbice Expo, and many Guyanese plan their vacation around that time.

Minister Prashad said the county of Berbice is growing rapidly and there is no doubt that many developments are taking place in Berbice.

“Berbice is now becoming a centre piece of attraction,”’ he said, importantly noting that many Berbicians, are remigrating and more persons including foreigners are investing there, with the tremendous infrastructural developments in that county, such as the Berbice River Bridge which makes it easily accessible.

Referring to the Belvedere industrial estate, the Minister said it will be a reality shortly.
Minister Prashad also recognised the private sponsors and supporters of the expo noting that business is also about corporate social responsibility.

He noted that Berbice is now a hub with many activities taking place, and Berbicians can look forward to more developments in the region.

Prashad also noted that the Government is trying to create the enabling environment for the private sector to invest, be more competitive and succeed.

He said the Berbice Expo – a signature event in that county,  will give businesses such as manufacturers, arts and craft producers, and the services sector, the opportunity to showcase their high standards and quality work while building contacts and creating networks.

Minister Prashad also encouraged the chamber to conduct a survey after the expo to determine how much contacts, new links and markets were made as a result of the event.

Prashad emphasised that tourism is evident in Berbice with a number of beautiful attractions such as the Number 63 Beach, and also alluded to the developments at Cow Falls and Orealla, along the Corentyne River.

Alluding to the efforts to promote tourism in Berbice, Prashad said his ministry is linking up with Suriname to create linkages and offer packages for tourists.

Also present at the launch of the expo were President of CCCC, Mr. Imrad Hamid; Expo Coordinator, Mr. Tajpaul Adjodhea; the Chamber’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adrian Anamaya; and Region Six Chairman (East Berbice/Corentyne), Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha.

Other sponsors of the event are the Ministry of Agriculture, the Regional Administration, Comfort Sleep, Republic Bank, Banks DIH Limited, Nand Persaud and Company Limited, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), Digicel, Caribbean International Distributor Inc. and Beharry Group of Companies.

Hamid reported that over the years, the expo has been incident-free and they want to maintain that, assuring that there will be adequate security in place during the much-anticipated event.
Chairman of Region Six, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha also commended the Chamber for sustaining the activity.