By Navendra Seoraj
IT was a spectacle to behold last evening as competitors, consumers and Guyanese all were enthralled by the multitude of displays exhibited at the opening of GuyExpo 2016.Despite the heavy showers of earlier in the day, persons defied the odds and turned out in their numbers to browse and explore what is available on the local, regional and international markets.

Hosted this year under the theme, “50 Years: Guyana means Business – Promoting Enterprise, Driving Productivity”, GuyExpo is but a part of a series of activities being held to mark Guyana’s 50th anniversary as an independent nation.

As such, over 300 companies are making full use of the opportunity to market their products to the Guyanese populace. One such company is GTT+, which has a number of promotions on high and low-end phones, a visual display section, which allows gamers to enjoy the latest in virtual games, as well as a host of other attractive offers.

Then there are entities such as Digicel, Gizmos and Gadgets, Sueria Manufacturing Guyana, and Comfort Sleep, which also have attractive deals to entice the public.

Also taking part in the event are the Bank of Guyana, Brass Aluminum and Cast Iron Foundry Ltd, Sterling Products Ltd, and a host of other companies, as well as independents, who pulled out all the stops to capture the attention of the spectators.

Asked about their expectations for this year’s edition of GuyExpo, many persons said they have high hopes, given the event’s success in the past, while booth holders expressed confidence in getting maximum mileage for their products in the remaining three nights.

Some newcomers to the line-up of exhibitors were also excited about the turnout, in spite of the inclement weather.

Among officials present were President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, ambassadors and a host of other distinguished persons, and they too seemed excited and at times at a loss for words as they visited the various booths.

At the launch of the exposition back in March, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin had said that the event is in line with the objectives of his ministry and the economic development priorities of the government.

GuyExpo is designed to nurture and promote business growth and development in Guyana, he’d said.

“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 per cent of our country’s GDP, and employs tens of thousands of people,” the minister said.

President Granger, who also spoke at the time, had underscored the importance of the event: “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, GuyExpo opens an avenue for economic development and commercial exposure.