THE 7th annual Berbice Expo and Trade Fair, organised by the Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce (CCCC), opened Friday evening to thousands of patrons at the Albion Sports Complex. The event is being celebrated under the theme “Promoting Agribusiness and Tourism.” The annual event allows local industries the opportunity to develop as it enhances their image and visibility on the local and international markets.

Giving the feature address at the opening ceremony, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, called the annual expo a signature event that has developed in stature over the years, as it has been highlighting the accomplishments of Berbicians, putting the county and local investors on the map.
Minister Prashad said that events like the Berbice Expo and Trade Fair represent and demonstrate the creativity, talent and entrepreneurship of Guyanese.

Government will be focusing on making more prominent the region’s role in the country’s tourism, and the Minister spoke of a Berbice Tourism Development Plan which will have components such as marketing of Fort Nassau as part of the country’s heritage tourism. The plan also foresees transformation of the Number 63 Beach.
According to Minister Prashad, government’s vision is to transform the beach into a world-class attraction that will feature a quiet zone, an area for children and another for parties. It will also be equipped with a restaurant, hotel and a game arcade, to name a few attractions.

The ministry’s booth exhibited a picture of what the government anticipates the beach will look like.
With the country becoming more popular as a tourist destination, Berbice can play a part in development of this industry if the private sector comes on board, the minister said, and he indicated that the ministry is hoping to add an annual Canje night to the region’s events.
Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha called the event a celebration of Region Six residents’ pride in their industries, and that it not only serves to demonstrate the local producers’ ability, but has undeniably resulted in production of high quality goods and products from the region.
Government has been doing all it can to facilitate the private sector in the region, since this sector is pivotal to the creation of wealth, he said.
Its massive investments in Region Six have resulted in development assuming massive momentum, and the transformation creates new opportunities, he said.
Mustapha urged local industries to take advantage of the new development, especially the access to new markets created by  expansion of the region’s trade links.
He warned the local businesses of the higher level of competition that will evolve because of these links, and urged them to maintain quality and price to remain competitive in the expanding industry.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Ramesh Dookhoo, said the theme for this expo is apt for the county, as it is best suited for agricultural endeavours and it is slowly but surely developing its tourism attractions.

President of the CCCC, Imran Hamid, said that the Chamber is honoured to host what he described as the biggest annual event in Berbice, and asked Minister Prashad to help the region in acquiring a permanent expo site.
The CCCC also used the opportunity to present awards and gifts to the region’s top five National Grade Six Assessment 2011 students.
Berbice Expo and Trade Fair closed last night. (GINA)