THE Guyana National Stadium came alive recently for the much-anticipated two-day event of the ‘UncappeD Marketplace,” which featured 130 local small businesses from across the country.

The event, which was organised by the Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA), was aimed at providing local Guyanese with an opportunity to showcase their products as well as connecting buyers and sellers with authentic Guyanese products. It also provided them with the much-needed exposure for their products to be seen on the international market.

The Sunday Chronicle spoke with some of the business owners and representatives who were delighted that they were given a platform to promote, showcase, and sell their products in a safe, organised, and secure environment.

Proprietor of ‘Miracle Oils’, Tatyana Moore Anthony from Devonshire Castle on the Essequibo Coast, produces Moringa and coconut oils.

“The Moringa oil is manufactured right here in Guyana, and it is taken from the farm to a bottle by extracting the oil from the Moringa and or Saijan seeds.”

The business owner explained that the seeds are filled with vitamins A, E, and protein, which are good for the skin as well as the hair. Being from the country area, Tatyana said that one day she was on the farm with her father, who explained to her the importance and benefits of the Moringa tree.

She recalled that her father also told her that the tree is a miracle plant when it is used to its full potential, and thus, she came up with the name for her business.

“I am grateful for the support that I am getting from the people of my county and throughout Guyana. At the UncappeD Marketplace, we were sold out, and we are presently working towards fulfilling the orders that we received from customers that were there but didn’t get to make a purchase.

“With the exposure, we are getting a lot more contact from people who are interested in us producing the oil for them.”

She noted that a company in Brazil wants her business to supply them with the oil in large quantities.

“I am thankful to the President and the Government of Guyana and GMSA; I like President Ali’s initiative for Guyanese. We are also the only producers of Moringa oils in the Caribbean, and I am very proud of that. We are hoping that we will get a plot of land where we can grow and create our own Moringa farm. I am also hoping that, with the success of the UncappeD Marketplace, it can be done at least twice a year so that small businesses like myself will get an opportunity to grow.”

Meanwhile, the founder of ‘Artsy Crafts’, Mrs. Raveena Taraman, said that it was her first year at the exhibition, and she was beyond happy with the response and the interest from people about her products.

According to her, a lot of the candles that are sold in stores are made with products that are chemically based, and it was her dream to invent a candle that had an amazing scent, as well as, being safe and healthy for the home and the family.

“The event and business was really great; the business had a lot of much-needed exposure, and I also gained a lot of new customers in the process. I am definitely looking forward to the next exhibition, and I am thankful for the government and the GMSA team for making that event possible for us.”

Another business owner, Michael Allen, the owner of ‘Creative Collections’, had one of the most unique displays of furniture that was made out of bamboo and other local lumber.

Allen related that he took a course in bamboo artistry in 2004 in Guyana, and in 2006 he was given the opportunity to go to China by the then President of Guyana, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, to further his craft.

According to him, he always had a love and appreciation for bamboo and bamboo products, and he is asking for the Guyanese people to be more sensitise about the preservation and benefits of bamboo.

Allen also said that he is using his platform as a business and to show Guyanese that we have some of the best lumber and products in the world.

“We have everything that we need here, and we do not need to go for the MBF and the other substandard materials. We have beautiful and sustainable products, and we need to recognise that. The exhibition was a success and people are interested in what they saw.

“I am also encouraging the young people, especially the ones from Friendship Village, to stop wasting their time and make use of the opportunities that are given to them. Nothing comes for free, but you have an opportunity now to be seen for your talent.”

Meanwhile, the Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Kamrul Baskh, told this newspaper that “UncappeD is a phenomenal event for local businesses, especially micro and small businesses.”

He added, “It provides a platform for them to showcase to tourism stakeholders (hoteliers, lodge owners, and other tourism business partners) what is available in Guyana. We want to support our local businesses, local craft, artisans, food, personal care item producers, and so much more. The tourism businesses are encouraged to support and promote local products and services.”