–President tells Lindeners at Trade Fair opening

LINDENERS have been urged to stop folding their arms and take advantage of the wealth of entrepreneurial opportunities practically on their doorsteps.
The call came from President David Granger on Friday evening at the opening of the Linden Exposition and Trade Fair.

“This is the time, Linden, for uncrossing your arms; unfolding your arms, or else you will get no help,” President Granger said.

The opening ceremony saw the start of three days of exhibition at the Linden Technical Institute, and President David Granger in his feature address said that the exhibition is important to him, as it is a start of stimulating economic development in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

He not only highlighted the many advantages that will make entrepreneurial development easier for Lindeners, but also made the point that the township is strategically located; is the epicentre of a region that straddles all three of the country’s main rivers, namely Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice; and also has bountiful natural resources and tourism potential.

As such, he sees the exhibition as being a springboard to the economic revival of not only the town of Linden, but of Region Ten as a whole, and urged the Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development (LCICD) to include the outlying areas in future expositions, as development should be a regional portfolio.

“Linden has a special responsibility as a capital town, not only to develop itself and its residents, but to develop the entire region,” President Granger said, adding:
“Bring people in from the outlying areas so that they, too, can get involved and show off their goods.”

NEW DOORS
With the downsizing of the bauxite industry, President Granger said, another door can be opened through entrepreneurship, which will enable the establishment of a resilient economy.
This being the case, he said, the annual exhibition will help to measure the manufacturing and agro-processing progress in the region.
With that in mind, he urged the entrepreneurs to step up their game. “We must stop being a nation of samplers and start looking for markets on a grand and industrial scale,” he challenged.
“Linden and this exhibition must become a vehicle for commerce and also manufacturing industrialisation.”

LCICD President, Mr Victor Fernandes hastened to assure His Excellency that the Chamber is working overtime to ensure the transformation of Linden, and has therefore embarked on a number of initiatives to see Linden reach its true potential in entrepreneurial development.
The Chamber, he said, is engaging the private sector and other major stakeholders to see the initiatives at reference take off, and in so doing empower the region’s youths.
“The Linden Chamber is on a mission to transform Linden and Region 10 to a business destination with real business opportunities and new sustainable jobs,” Fernandes posited.

BUSINESS-ORIENTED
LCICD Vice-President Lyndon Younge said that the institution is there as a business solution centre to guide entrepreneurs through the process, thus empowering them with the necessary tools to establish a successful business.

Noting that the Chamber is cognisant that Linden is bursting with potential investment energy, Younge said: “We want movement Linden; let us turn our potential energy into kinetic energy and set the stage for economic development.”

This year’s exhibition, which is being held under the theme, “Exploring Opportunities, Empowering Businesses in a ‘Green’ 2018”, is the biggest since its establishment, in that over 70 booths will be showcasing their products and services over the next two days.
Exhibitors include international agencies such as ExxonMobil and local businesses such as Pleasurable Flavours. The aim of the exposition is to enable entrepreneurs and investors to network with each other, but most importantly for Linden agro-processors, manufacturers and entrepreneurs to showcase their products.
The Fair is being hosted by the LCICD, in collaboration with the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LMTC) and the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN).