THREE hundred local businesspersons are set to showcase their products at the upcoming Small Business exposition 2015, with particular emphasis on small business development and marketing. It is meant to substitute for the traditional Guyexpo which was pushed back to May 2016.

The small business expo which will run from November 27-29 was formulated to create awareness and open new markets for local products. However, there are several other objectives that the Ministry of Business hopes to achieve.
Among these, it aims “to promote an event that is a catalyst for the development of local, small and medium-sized businesses in Guyana, to host an event that promotes and showcases Guyana’s locally produced products and services and link them to market and investment opportunities and to promote an opportunity for large businesses to utilise the vehicle of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to propel the birthing and growth of small businesses.”
Delivering the opening remarks at the launching, subject Minister Dominic Gaskin acknowledged that Guyexpo had become a very important activity on the calendar of local businesses, primarily the small-business sector, but since Guyexpo was simply impossible this year, the ministry has moved to this undertaking.

He explained that this expo will be somewhat different from the traditional ones, since its primary focus will be on small businesses and not entertainment, because over the years entertainment has become the main focus and the exhibitors the “side show.” However, there will still be some forms of entertainment, but more of the cultural type.
THEME
After his remarks, Minister Gaskin unveiled the theme for the event, which is: “Guyanese products and services – our gateway forward.”
Meanwhile, Ramsey Ali, President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), the main partnering entity in organising and hosting the expo, pointed out that it will prove very beneficial to the over 300 participants, because larger companies will be assisting the smaller producers to market their products. For example, the GMSA will be taking small producers under its umbrella and help to market their products.
Ali added that he is looking forward to be able to walk around and see more local products rather than the international ones which seemed to have dominated the markets and expo over time.
Participating businesses include the Guyana Agro-processors Association, Guyana Aquaculture Association, Guyana Arts and Craft Producers Association, and Guyana Beekeepers Association, as well as fashion designers, children funland owners, and cooperatives and tourism operatives, among many others.
Thus far, the ministry has embarked on an initiative to provide a foundation for showcasing local businesses in Guyana and to bring optimum awareness of Guyana’s diverse products and services, with the ultimate goal of accelerating the development of this sector.
Against the backdrop of much talk about a decline in business over the past months, the event will serve to develop a channel for providing revenues for small businesses during the upcoming Christmas season.

By Navendra Seoraj