THE Guyana/China Business Council is concluding arrangements for the Guyana contingent to join the rest of the Caribbean’s business community at the 3rd China-Caribbean Economic & Trade Forum to be held next month in Trinidad. The two-day business forum, on September 12 and 13, is mainly focused on establishing business partnerships between Caribbean and Chinese entrepreneurs.
A statement emanating from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Guyana said that “the vivid Caribbean presents abundant investment opportunities for Chinese Companies”. Already approximately 160 entrepreneurs, government representatives, and academic leaders in China have registered for the two-day Economic Forum. They include the Haier Electrical Appliances Corporation, China Harbour Engineering Company, Complant International Engineering Corporation, Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corporation, and Alcatel-Lucent Shanghai Bell Company Ltd.
The Guyana delegation will include Sithe Global Inc., Toolsie Persaud Ltd., Ming’s Products & Services, Wings Aviation, and entrepreneurs involved in green energy, agriculture and agro-processing, Engineering/Construction and Manufacturing services, Tourism, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Craft and Commercial Merchandising.
Over 30 Guyanese entrepreneurs have indicated their interest in attending the forum. Some have already begun to identify their Chinese counterparts, and very shortly, the initial approaches will be made through the Guyana-China Business Council and embassy officials. The intention is for the business partners and potential counterparts to be acquainted before the first day of the Trinidad forum.
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) is the body co-ordinating that country’s participation. The main agenda items will be a government-based economic session, a private sector forum and several multilateral and bilateral business conferences. It is also expected that the third bilateral meeting of the Guyana/China Business Council will be held as part of the proceedings.
The plenary sessions will zone in on “Sustainable Trade Strategies” underpinned by the recent global economic turmoil and the need for diversification; and “Investment Opportunities in the Caribbean” which has experienced a relatively quick rebound in the post-crisis era.
The opening ceremony will feature addresses by Stephen Cadiz, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Trade and Industry; China’s Vice Minister, Wang Chao; and CCPIT’s Vice Chairman, Yu Ping.
Business owners who have not yet registered to join the Guyana contingent should contact the Guyana/China Business Council, through the GMSA Secretariat, 157 Waterloo St., North Cummingsburg, Tel: 223-7405/6 before Friday 2nd September, 2011.