Expectations high as building expo nears

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali has disclosed that International Building Expo 2013 is moving apace, noting that it is

anticipated to be the largest expo the country has seen so far.

At a press conference held at the Guyana National Stadium to update the media on the progress of the event on Friday, Ali disclosed that so far three full-scale models of homes are expected to be built. He underscored that the expo this year will see 10 foreign companies, with 28 corporate sponsors, while some 103 exhibition booths have been sold thus far.

Expectations

He said this year’s expo is geared towards fulfilling the expectations of the thousands of persons who will pass through the expo and to highlight both investment and opportunities for the general public not solely in the building and construction sector, but also in home furnishing and interior decorating areas.

“The approach of the ministry is not only to make housing more affordable but to make home ownership and family development easier because… we are moving from just the allocation of land to the provision of homes and now going into furnishing,” Ali explained.

He added that over the last two weeks, the ministry has seen a rush from persons who have applied for house lots now requesting transfers to the turnkey homes or the professional homes initiatives.

He disclosed that the ministry is now developing a full-scale model of houses that will cost about Gy$ 18-$ 19 million, complete with land. This model is currently under construction at the stadium where it will be on display for the expo. “So we’re developing models to cater to every segment of the market from Gy$4.9m all the way to Gy$ 18 or Gy$19 million.”

Turning his attention to Silica City, which will be the main attraction of the expo, he said it has been creating tremendous excitement as the response from the public has been overwhelming.

Ali stated that Silica City is located in Kuru Kururu and covers about 2700 square miles; however the ministry is looking at the initial development covering about 500 acres. He noted that persons will be fully educated as to what the development entails and the vision behind it.

Ali highlighted that contractors are determining what would be the ‘most efficient’ cost. He underscored that the project will be costly hence the ministry is looking to partner with the private sector to undertake this initiative.

Some of the corporate sponsors include Republic Bank, Courts Guyana, Sunshine Villas and Impressions. As usual, all sponsors will offer special incentives at the expo.

Special gate prices will be in place for persons at this year’s expo. International Building Expo 2013, slated for the Guyana National Stadium, will be held under the theme “Consolidating Partnerships for Sustainable Development” from July 5th to 7th.