MORE than 100 businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations converged at the Anna Regina Secondary School ground on Friday evening as the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) officially opened its 20th Annual Agro and Trade Fair, creating a major platform for the showcasing of products, building networks and tapping into new markets.

The milestone event has grown into one of Region Two’s premier business exhibitions, attracting companies from across Guyana and providing local entrepreneurs with an opportunity to place their products and services before thousands of potential customers, investors, and business partners.

The opening ceremony featured Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, who praised the ECCI for successfully sustaining and expanding the annual event.

Dr Singh said the fair has evolved significantly since his earlier involvement, describing it as a “mammoth event” that now attracts businesses from throughout Guyana, and features a wide array of national companies.

He said the growing presence of businesses in Region Two is reflective of the economic transformation taking place across the region and the wider country.

According to Dr Singh, the development taking place in Region Two is not accidental, pointing to significant public and private-sector investments that are creating new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

He noted that President Dr Irfaan Ali has spent considerable time in Region Two because of the importance of the region to the country’s development agenda.

Dr Singh highlighted major investments in transportation and other infrastructure, noting that improved connectivity is critical to businesses seeking to move people, goods, and services between Region Two and the rest of Guyana.

He pointed to the introduction of a new ferry and increased ferry services across the Essequibo River as examples of investments that are helping to improve connectivity and support economic activity.

Dr Singh also commended the ECCI for bringing together more than 120 exhibitors under one roof, describing the expo as a practical demonstration of what cooperation between businesses and other stakeholders can achieve.

He said the event provides entrepreneurs with opportunities to network, learn from one another, exchange ideas and identify potential partnerships.

He stressed that businesses, whether large or small, depend on partnerships to grow and succeed and he later praised the Chamber for providing a valuable service to the Region Two business community.

Conveying greetings from President Ali and members of Cabinet, Prime Minister Mark Phillips reiterated the government’s commitment to continued investment in Region Two and to creating an environment that encourages sustainable economic growth.

A MARKETPLACE FOR OPPORTUNITIES

The ECCI Expo is more than a showcase of products. For many small businesses, it is an opportunity to gain visibility, meet customers, test new products, and establish relationships that can lead to future business opportunities.

ECCI Coordinator Teakaram Singh expressed pride in hosting the 20th edition of the trade fair, noting that more than 100 companies are participating, with approximately 20,000 patrons expected to attend.

He has said that the executive members worked with the President of ECCI Ganesh Jaigobin in making the expo possible.

Singh said the Chamber’s objective is to ensure that the funds generated through its activities are reinvested into initiatives that directly benefit businesses in Region Two.

He said the ECCI is focused on strengthening business networking, capacity building, and access to opportunities.

Singh also outlined a vision for a permanent ECCI office that would provide a home for businesses in Region Two and allow the Chamber to operate more effectively as an institution.

He encouraged businesses and members of the public to view their participation in ECCI activities not simply as support for an event, but as an investment in the future of the Region Two business community.

BUSINESSES PUTTING THEIR PRODUCTS ON DISPLAY

Among the many exhibitors was Ganesh Jaigobin of G&P Products, who used the expo to connect with Essequibians and introduce customers to his products. His booth attracted considerable attention through giveaways and interactive displays.

For entrepreneurs like Jaigobin, the expo provides direct access to consumers while creating an avenue to build brand recognition and strengthen relationships within the region.

Adelia Jones of Kads Enterprises also seized the opportunity to promote her locally produced dried fruits and pepper sauce.

Jones said her participation was made possible through sponsorship from the Small Business Bureau, allowing her to bring her products to a much wider audience.

Another entrepreneur benefiting from sponsorship was Pauline Mentis of Pauline Dried Thyme, who showcased her dried thyme products at the fair.

Mentis said the Small Business Bureau sponsored her booth, giving her business an important opportunity to promote its products and engage directly with potential customers.

For some entrepreneurs, the 2026 expo represents a first step into a larger marketplace.

Lakita Caesar of Nest and Notebooks, based in Dartmouth, Region Two, was participating in the expo for the first time.

Caesar said that when she learned about the opportunity, she immediately recognised its potential to give her small business greater exposure.

For emerging entrepreneurs, such platforms can provide valuable exposure while helping them understand customer preferences, establish contacts and identify opportunities for expansion.

INVESTMENT TRANSFORMING REGION TWO

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Devin Mohan praised the high level of participation at this year’s expo and reaffirmed the partnership between the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), the ECCI and the local business community.

Mohan said the ECCI Expo continues year after year to demonstrate the extraordinary commercial potential of Region Two.

He described the region as a rapidly changing economic corridor, with growth occurring across agriculture, commerce, construction, manufacturing, and emerging green industries.

He pointed to developments visible across the region, including the Lima Regional Development, the mega solar farm, and the Anna Regina National Stadium, as examples of investments contributing to the transformation of Region Two.

Mohan said millions of dollars are being invested in infrastructure and communities are being modernised at a rapid pace.

“Development is no longer a promise; it is happening,” he said.

He added that the expansion taking place across Region Two is creating an environment in which businesses can grow, entrepreneurs can innovate and investors can identify new opportunities.

The Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) also played an important role in supporting entrepreneurship at the expo, providing sponsorship for five small businesses to showcase their products and services to local and international audiences.