– Over 100 businesses participated
MORE than 100 local businesses from different sectors participated in the biggest Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) Agro and Trade Fair, which took place at the Anna Regina Secondary school ground on Friday night. The event continued on Saturday, providing businesses with a chance to establish connections for future business prospects.

Business owners were delighted to participate in the expo, as they claimed that the impact of COVID-19 had adversely affected their businesses, causing many closures. They also conveyed that the expo presented them with marketing possibilities and an opportunity to show their offerings to the Essequibo population.

Among those individuals was Diego Hopkinson, who introduced the renowned “rice chain” and several chain rings. Hopkinson stated that the initial night sale was satisfactory, but she hopes for an increase in sales and greater awareness of her business. She stated that she has been coming to all of the expos held in Region Two.

Natasha David, from David Creative’s Design, mentioned that it was her inaugural participation in the expo, where she successfully capitalised on various business prospects. She has high hopes that the expo will strengthen her business. David mentioned that her designs have been skillfully selected, and she expresses joy in bringing her talent to Region Two.

Frank Sanichara, the owner of Suri Trading, expressed his satisfaction in participating in the Expo once again, emphasising the platform it provides for businesses to engage with the business community. A large number of people come to know about products, especially during their introduction. He stated that the expo provides a platform for sampling and gathering individuals’ perspectives.

According to Kerencie Bacchus, the owner of KT Decor, a woman-owned business in Essequibo, she is leveraging her talent and skills to attract clients. Her hope is that the Expo will generate a clientele for her. Bacchus originated from the town of Chairty. She is employing skilled artisans to craft a collection of flower bouquets embellished with pearls. She is optimistic that people will back her business, leading to a growth in order numbers.

According to Chris Shivdayal from Only Coconut Products, this marks their inaugural venture, and they are additionally seeking to expand their distribution network in Region Two. Shivdyal mentioned his utilisation of Virgin coconut products to create nutritious items. He stated that he had received an invitation to the expo and took advantage of the chance to build connections for distribution purposes.

Savina Sukhanand, representing Lily’s Organic, stated that she has introduced a new product and believes that it is an ideal moment to offer a sample. According to her, she always anticipates participating in expos as a means to establish connections and engage with customers.
The expo included booths from governmental agencies, which presented their offerings to the public. People were spotted engaging in pedestrian activity and interacting with the proprietor.

Dhanraj Singh, Vice President of the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry, expressed satisfaction with the level of participation and support received from local businesses. Furthermore, he extended his appreciation to the president for generously allocating $1.5 million to the ECCI, enabling it to sustain its operations. According to Singh, the first night was successful and without any incidents.