Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali said stronger focus will be placed on the development of small and medium size businesses as he launched GuyExpo 2012 on March 30, at the International Convention Centre, Lilendaal, Greater Georgetown. “GuyExpo 2012 is looking to have a forum, one that would focus on small businesses, medium size businesses, and we are hoping to have the forum in a way we can have linkages not only locally, but with regional and extra regional markets,” the minister said.
Ali disclosed that he is looking to provide a banking-friendly environment, and “will also have a banking seminar to share information, a more learning seminar with small businessmen on how they can access loans from banks. A lot of small businesses are afraid to approach the banks; I think that is because of the culture, the banking culture”.
A section of the gathering at the launch of GuyExpo
Minister Ali disclosed that with the new budget, there will be no new taxes or reduction of previous ones; however the recent Gy$ 10,000 increase of the threshold is a well balanced tradeoff that will benefit the private sector.
The minister stated that GuyExpo 2012 is the ultimate showcase of the business community, investment opportunities and the future of the country. He noted that with the good management of past exhibitions, the annual event is now self-sufficient, noting that its expenses are being covered by the private sector. Government in collaboration with the private sector has raised the expo to the standard it is at today.
The acting tourism minister also commended the Canadian High Commission for its role in increasing investments in Guyana, and promised that this year’s expo would be fruitful and rewarding to everyone. Private Sector Commission Chairman Ramesh Dookoo said a booth will showcase the resilience of the local economy during the financial and economic recession. President Donald Ramotar said “we are living in exciting times in Guyana”, noting that Guyana is on the path to join the elite groups of countries involved in oil refinery.
Comments are closed.