WITH her already busy schedule, Sonia Noel continues to fly the Golden Arrowhead wherever she goes.

This fashion diva recently returned from India, where she was invited by the Government of India to a trade fair mid last month. The event was intended to establish firm links between international markets and export industries in Madhya Pradesh, India.
During the three-day exposition, the coordinators ensured that all exhibitors were given opportunity to interact and present to the invitees their products and services, and how best they can provide and produce for the Indian market.
The Honourable Minister of Commerce and Industries, Shri Kailash Vijayvargiya, was the Guest of Honour at the inaugural ceremony. The event is a platform for interaction with world renowned business minds, marketers and entrepreneurs, among others, and is geared at opening doors of global opportunity for businesses.
In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Sonia said the networking was tremendous because of the diverse selection of business and creative minds that were present from all over the world.
Some of the countries represented were Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, Algeria, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, USA, China, Taiwan and Korea; and there were many others.
Sonia was able to meet with various fabric suppliers and distributors, with the intention of forming trade ties between their nations and Guyana. Added to that, she was offered an option for branding the signature Sonia Noel braids that she has been sporting for the last decade, designed by hair stylist, Corin Gibson. She has also been offered to manage the set design for a film production in South Africa.
The other Guyanese in the contingent was Orin Hickerson of Vegetarian Gardens Inc, who made full use of the opportunities being offered in the Herbal Products expositions.
“I must thank the Indian Government for inviting me to be part of this prestigious EXPO,” Sonia said, adding:
“It was an amazing experience, and had great networking opportunities that can be very fruitful in the near future, God willing. It was one of my most inspiring trips to date; the possibilities are endless.”
Among places of interest she visited while in India were the Taj Mahal in Agra, and other historical sites in Delhi, New Dehli, Gwalior and Jaipur, where she spent quality time interacting with the locals and their kids. “The locals were totally fascinated with my braids,” she said. “Everywhere I went, people wanted photos with me. In some cases, there were lines waiting just to have a photo opportunity with me.”
Sonia’s next local venture is the upcoming Miss Bartica Regatta Pageant in her hometown, Bartica.
On her overseas slate to date is the Guyana Trade, Tourism & Investment Exposition carded for March 16–17 at the Georgia Piedmont Technical College in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, which is being facilitated by Mr. Austin Thompson, a Guyanese living in Atlanta, in collaboration with The Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest).