AGRO-PROCESSORS from across Guyana have strengthened their capacity to access regional and international markets following the successful completion of a two-day export readiness workshop hosted through a partnership among the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), and the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC).
The workshop, which concluded recently, focused on equipping participants with practical knowledge and skills in food safety planning, export preparedness, and commercial negotiations, key areas considered essential for businesses seeking to expand beyond domestic markets.
Participants received training in Food Safety Planning and Management for Export Readiness from food scientist Heather Farrell Clarke, who provided guidance on meeting international food safety standards and developing systems necessary for accessing export markets.
The programme also featured sessions on Negotiating and Contracting, facilitated by Joanna Simmons, Lead Counsel of Simmons & Co. Attorneys-at-Law.
Drawing on her extensive experience in commercial law and contract negotiations, Simmons provided participants with practical strategies and tools to strengthen their business operations and successfully navigate commercial agreements.
According to the organisers, the workshop was designed to enhance the competitiveness of Guyana’s agro-processing sector by building the capacity of local entrepreneurs and preparing them to take advantage of emerging regional and international market opportunities.
The training initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to support the growth and development of the country’s agro-processing industry, while fostering greater export readiness among local producers.
The Guyana Marketing Corporation expressed appreciation to the facilitators and participants for contributing to the success of the workshop, noting that such collaborative initiatives are critical to empowering agro-processors, strengthening the sector, and positioning Guyanese products for greater success on the regional and international stage.