THE Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), in collaboration with Massy Stores Mega, held a “Local Day” in the parking lot of MovieTowne, to provide support and exposure to some 25 local agro-processing businesses.
Marketing Officer of GMC, Amarissa Barker, said that they hosted the event to give the agro processors and the local manufacturers a space to promote their products.

“Usually, MovieTowne and Massy has a number of persons coming out to go to both locations so we thought it a good idea. We hosted this last year and this year we are here to promote our local agro processors,” she said.
Barker said that Massy is looking to have more local products in its supermarket, so procurement officers from Massy walked around and engaged agro-processors. The products which meet Massy’s requirements would be screened to be sold in Massy.
“Last year, we had quite a few persons that actually got into Massy from the expo that was here, today we have about 25 persons out here,” she said.

The Sunday Chronicle engaged some local manufacturers on exhibition who said that they were out there to grow their customer base.
Radhika Basdeo, sole proprietress of Basdeo’s Dynasty, is a manufacturer of mango achar, tamarind achar, plantain flour, pepper sauce, turmeric, and other spices.

She said that she intended to interact with customers and offer samples at the Local Day. Her two-year-old business is based in Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD), which she started during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I started in the midst of COVID, after being encouraged by my dad to get up and get going to make use of the resources that we have,” the 25-year-old said.

Founder of Healthy Choice Superfood, Tilak Persaud, manufactures fermented hot sauce, sea moss gel, fermented cucumber, carrot and sauerkraut. His products are probiotic-based.
“My products are about probiotics, so they contain a lot of probiotic that is very good for your overall health. What fermentation does it enriches the food with more vitamins and minerals and it tastes better,” he said.

Persaud related that his business has only been in operation for a few months and is located in Farm, East Bank Demerara (EBD). His products are available in several supermarkets such as, DSL, Foodmaxx, D. Singh, Matthai’s, Survival and more.
Additionally, Leisa Salon n Beauty Supplies, has been supplying and producing hair and body products since 2016 to the public, according to the owner’s son, Theon Gibson.

“We supply and produce products for hair growth, skin care and overall body health. The business initially started in 2016 with our first product, a Hair and Scalp conditioner,” he said.
Gibson said that since they have a lot of products at Massy Stores and a wide customer base, this should be testimony that their products actually work.

With all ingredients locally sourced, some of their products include the “botanical pamper me body oil,” hair growth oil, natural body soaps, shampoos and conditioners and hair and scalp conditioner. Their business is located on Alexander Street opposite the Kitty Police Station.
Gibson said that his mother owned a salon for about 12 years, which led to the decision of creating her own products for customers.