–          attendance of several Heads of State confirmed; Unique attractions to foster learning
–          CEO of Energy Conference says

THE foremost energy conference in Guyana has been rebranded as the ‘Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo’. This year, the conference will prioritise the pursuit of transformation and modernisation.

This is according to Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, Kurt Baboolall who, in a telephone interview, told the Guyana Chronicle that the goal this year will be to make the expo a family-oriented one set to foster learning.

Giving some background on the rebranding of the conference, Baboolall stated that in Guyana, the income from energy resources is being used to develop all other sectors across the country, and as such, it was important that this be highlighted.

In light of this, he further emphasised that the energy sector is dependent on various other sectors to ensure its efficiency and functionality. Consequently, recognising the interdependence between the energy and other sectors, the team deemed it essential to take action.

However, with this in mind, the theme for this year’s conference is, “Fuelling Transformation and Modernisation.”

“So, we have seen a lot of transformative projects starting in Guyana since we started to lift oil in 2020. So that’s one of the reasons we thought that fuelling transformation would be more aligned with what’s relevant and happening in Guyana right now,” he said.

When asked about plans for this year’s conference, he stated that the goal this year is to make the expo a family-oriented one, as energy is currently the driving force of the country’s economy.

Baboolall told this newspaper that he believes that everyone should be included, and as such, the exhibition will be built to include everyone. It was then that he noted that kids could attend the conference free of cost, once accompanied by an adult.

Added to this, he noted that the conference, which will be hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel from February 19th to February 22nd, 2024, will feature a new attraction: an international food court.

This food court will provide patrons with an array of food options from across the world and even indigenous dishes from Guyana.

“Persons coming to the expo, it’s diverse; we have international attendees, we have regional attendees, and we have locals. We want to be able to illustrate culture through cuisine, so that’s going to be our theme for the international food court,” Baboolall expressed.

Further to this, he noted the expo will be built so that attendees can learn about what’s happening in the sector and with players in the energy market.

He added that throughout the days of the conference and expo, those in attendance will learn about energy, the energy players, the supply chain, and even companies that provide support to the energy sector.

“We want people to leave with value in terms of learning, you must come, learn about something, the energy players, learn about where they fit in the sector,” he iterated.

In line with the commitment to education, Baboolall announced that there will be a prominent display at the conference and expo entrance, showcasing the remarkable journey of oil in Guyana.

In the context of the conference, he mentioned that the agenda includes more than 66 speakers, including several heads of state who have already confirmed their attendance.

Among these are the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani; the President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi; the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Keith Rowley; and Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Phillip Davis, among others.

Guyana’s Head of State, President, Dr Irfaan Ali, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, and Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips will also be in attendance.

From a global private sector perspective, the CEO added Pulitzer prize-winning author and long-time energy and economic consultant, Daniel Yergin will be in attendance.

Further to this, Baboolall encouraged those who are desirous of attending Guyana’s premier energy conference and expo to register at guyanaenergy.gy