…two-day event opens on November 23

ORGANISERS of the 2019 Rupununi Exposition and Trade Fair, on Monday, received a major boost for the hosting of the event when Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock contributed some $1.2M towards the two-day event.

The exposition, which is hosted annually by the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will open on Saturday November 23 in St. Ignatius Village, Lethem, Region Nine. The exposition seeks to identify and promote the economic potential of the Rupununi Region as well as highlight the unique talent and cultures of the indigenous peoples.
During the handing over ceremony at the Ministry’s Head Office located at Thomas and Quamina streets, Minister Allicock said: “we are very pleased to be supporting the Rupununi Expo 2019. We have a donation in the form of support of $1.2M and we hope that it works for your organization and the peoples of region nine, and, by extension, the entire country”.

Member of the Chamber, Michelle Skeete, after accepting the cheque, expressed appreciation to the ministry for the support. More than thirty villages are expected to participate and will be showcasing a variety of products. According to organisers, participants will continue to benefit from training programmes associated with production and marketing of produce to meet international standards, which will open doors of opportunities for local businesses.

Prizes will be awarded for outstanding products in the areas of Craft, Processed Foods, Agro Produce, Tourism, Local Juices and Innovative Initiatives. There will also be activities for the sporting fraternity where teams from the respective villages will compete in football, cricket, volleyball, archery, a road race (5K), cycling and horse racing.
The two-day event will also have a mixture of indigenous talent through dance, songs, skits and the popular Miss Rupununi Pageant. Booths and stalls will be available and prizes will be awarded for success in the many activities.