-potential exhibitors urged to apply early

By Navendra Seoraj

WITH 300 booths already sold, potential exhibitors are being urged to apply early for remaining space, given that the date for GuyExpo 2016 is “around the corner.”
Being held under the theme “50 Years: Guyana means Business – Promoting Enterprise, Driving Productivity,” this year’s event is expected to be one of the largest events of its kind.

Coordinator of events, Tameca Singh, said 300 of the 400 booths have already been sold and preparations are moving apace. As such, she called on potential or interested exhibitors to apply early.
“Once these persons apply early, that is, before the end of April, we will be able to put that aspect aside and focus on meeting the demands of the exhibitors, and also other factors that could prove beneficial towards the run-off of the GuyExpo 2016,” she said.
Those who have already picked out their spots have already begun to mount poles, tents and other structures, so as to get everything in shape before May 12, when the Expo will begin.
During a visit to the site at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, the Guyana Chronicle saw workers mounting their structures, painting, and also engaging in other preparatory works.
Some of them explained that the work has been tough, but as long as they complete the external and physical work, they can begin to place more focus on the more technical aspects of their booths.

The coordinator of the event highlighted the fact that they have received applications for booths from local companies and also from international companies from Indonesia, Chile, the USA and the United Kingdom.

“Preparations are going well and we are already set and ready for May 12 to the 15,” said Singh.

This event, as opposed to the Business Expo, provides an avenue for micro, small, medium and large enterprises to showcase what they have; and it also gives consumers a chance to browse through an array of services and products.
At the launch of GuyExpo 2016 recently, President David Granger underscored the importance of the event.

The President also said: “GuyExpo is placing more emphasis on the local manufacturing sector to help revitalise the economy, which has too long now, been dependent on the exportation of raw materials.”

Being one of the biggest commercial events, it opens the avenue for economic development and commercial exposure.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, at the opening ceremony in March also said that GUYEXPO 2016 is well aligned with the objectives of his ministry, as well as the economic development priorities of the government, and is designed to nurture and promote business growth and development in Guyana.

“One of the areas of focus for the Ministry of Business is on the development of micro and small enterprises. This level of enterprise accounts for almost 30 percent of our country’s GDP and employs tens of thousands of people,” said Gaskin.

The minister said that many businesses have the capacity to develop beyond the small- business level and GUYEXPO presents the opportunities for this kind of growth.