GUYANA’S renowned annual trade fair and exposition GuyExpo, which was declared open Thursday last, has been receiving tremendous support from exhibitors over the years, making it an event of international standard. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad on Friday evening toured the booths at the event being held at the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, and expressed satisfaction with the response by both local entrepreneurs and patrons.
Minister Prashad visited several booths and encouraged small business people to remember their humble beginnings and continue to use initiatives provided by government, such as GuyExpo, to promote themselves.
“GuyExpo is about showcasing your products; getting linkages outside which is very important; getting into joint ventures with people who have got the capital – we have got the expertise and skills. We need people with capital to link up with our entrepreneurs, not only in Guyana, but overseas as well, and I am proud to see small business owners taking advantage of this opportunity,” Minister Prashad said.
Some of the established companies present at this year’s exposition were Banks D.I.H., Sterling Products, Demerara Distillers Limited, Digicel, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Limited, Cellphone Shack, Gizmos and Gadgets, National Hardware, Multi-Builders Inc., Melsha Furniture and the Guyana Forestry Commission.
Held under the theme “Enhancing Growth through Competitiveness,” GuyExpo has been around for more than 10 years and has provided a platform for stakeholders in the business sector to interact with other sections of society.
This year’s exposition attracted a large number of art and craft producers from across Guyana, along with hundreds of entrepreneurs who are now trying to make an impact on Guyana’s economy.
A delegation of 70 from neighbouring Suriname and 45 through the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Development Organization (SEBREA) have also marked their names for the exposition and trade fair.
GuyExpo 2011 closed last evening.