THE Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) launched the first night of its Annual Agro and Trade Fair on Friday evening, presenting a significant platform for business growth and collaboration.
The event, themed “Empowering Local Business Growth, Celebrating Innovation, Connectivity, and Sustainability,” was officially opened by Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service.
He underscored the government’s commitment to economic development, noting that it is important to reflect on the development and transformation of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
He said if one considers the vast natural resources, one would see the potential of being the capital of Guyana’s food basket. He said that Essequibo is producing coconut water with an impressive package that is sold around the world.
He noted that Essequibo continues to excel in all sectors, noting that the region is producing products on the international market.
Dr. Singh highlighted the government’s continued commitment to investing in Region Two to drive its transformation. He conveyed greetings from President Irfaan Ali and his cabinet, reaffirming the government’s dedication to fostering a policy environment that stimulates economic growth in the region.
Dr. Singh also commended the local business community for their initiative in investing in Essequibo, noting that the region’s success will be further bolstered by ongoing infrastructure developments.
The expo, being held at the Anna Regina Secondary School grounds, drew participation from over 100 exhibitors across various sectors, reflecting the ECCI vision of moving businesses forward.
This diverse gathering of businesses underscores the chamber’s role as a key driver of economic activity in Region Two.
During the opening ceremony, the top seven CSEC performers from Anna Regina Secondary School—Adadeze Butters, Pradesh Dwarka, Gevasha Harpaul, Venisha Lall, Rudranauth Sankar, Bomeka Singh, and Randir Toney—were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements, highlighting the region’s commitment to educational excellence.
Dhanraj Singh, Vice President of ECCI, emphasised the collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector in organising the exposition. He expressed confidence in the government’s economic policies and noted that ECCI’s advocacy efforts, particularly regarding transportation services, have yielded positive results.
Tenogah Christian, Finance Director of Go-Invest, also attended, reinforcing the strategic importance of such events in fostering regional business development. He urged businesses to think bigger in transporting their produce.
Rawl Pearce, the Expo’s Coordinator, stated that the primary objective of the event is to promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the region. He reaffirmed ECCI’s dedication to supporting the local business community and building pathways for increased private-public sector collaboration.
Region Two Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, expressed her satisfaction with the level of business participation at the fair and highlighted the strong relationship between the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), ECCI, and the local business community. She said the expo serves as a platform to connect businesses and commended the efforts of ECCI.
The Small Business Bureau (SBB), represented by CEO Mohamed Ibrahim, played a pivotal role in the event by sponsoring seven small businesses, providing them with an invaluable opportunity to showcase their products and services to both local and international markets.
Among the businesses benefitting from SBB’s sponsorship was John Luke Manufacturing, which presented a range of products including cassava casreep, hot sauce, cassava pepper pot powder, and wine.
Long-time exhibitor, Ramnanan Nateram of Original Juice Centre, expressed his appreciation for the ongoing support, noting the consistent opportunity to engage with the Essequibo community.
Similarly, Deborah Warner from Jets Enterprise and Rominie Sankar from Resource Era, showcased their nutritious products and handmade crafts, respectively, both noting the expo as an excellent platform for reaching new customers.
Frank Sanichara, owner of Suri Trading, highlighted his long-standing participation in the expo, noting that his six-booth display was a key way to connect with the Essequibo population. His booths were marked by a variety of giveaways, attracting significant attention from attendees.
With over 100 booths representing industries ranging from manufacturing to government and agriculture, the expo continues to be a vital event for driving businesses forward in the region.