A BUSINESS forum linking producers in the Rupununi and bankers and purchasers of agricultural products is a new feature of the Annual Exposition and Trade Show of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), which will be held at Lethem, Region 9 (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) on November 30th and December 1.President of the RCCI, Mr Daniel Gajie, disclosed that the business forum would be held on Saturday beginning at 09:00 hrs, and aims at linking producers with buyers with the hope of stimulating business activities involving the unique products of the Rupununi.

Local businesses expected to participate in this forum include Sterling Products and Bounty Farms Limited.

The RCCI initiative is being done in collaboration with Conservation International (CI), and is part of CI’s three-year programme of leveraging capital in the Rupununi villages with the aim of lifting the standard of living and the quality of life in these villages, he said.

Representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are expected to attend the forum and participate in discussions. The Rupununi participants would include the RCCI; community-based enterprises; the Regional Democratic Council of Region 9; and regional membership organizations and associations, including the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association, (RLPA) Regional Forestry Associations, the North Rupununi District Development Board, and the Kanuku Mountains Community Representative Group (KMCRG), among others.

Gajie said: “It’s a new feature, and we have been assured of enthusiastic participation by producers and buyers, and financial institutions which provide capital for business activities.”

Venue of the RCCI Exposition 2013 is the Triple ‘R’ Rodeo Ground at Lethem. The usual exhibition follows, and several businesses in the Rupununi and from the coast are expected to turn out in their numbers to showcase their products.

The exhibition would be followed by the first of two grand cultural nights on Saturday night, which would also see staging of the first half of the Miss Rupununi beauty pageant.

The cultural programme would also feature artistes from Boa Vista in Brazil and local performers from Lethem.

Sunday’s programme comprises a day of sports with a wide variety of sporting activities being held, including motor cycle racing, horse racing, football and athletics, all at the same venue.

The cultural shows continue on Sunday night with participation by cultural performers from neighbouring Bonfim in Brazil, and with local performers.

There would also be culmination of the Beauty Pageant and the crowning of the Miss Rupununi Queen 2013 on Sunday night.

Gajie said the expo is, as usual, receiving the fullest support from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

Special invitees for the expo opening include President Donald Ramotar and the Ministers of Tourism, Amerindian Affairs, and Local and Regional Development, among other ministers and officials of Government and members of the Boa Vista Chamber of Commerce.

Written By Clifford Stanley