‘Strengthening the Traditional, Embracing the new’

Preparations for this year’s GuyExpo are in full swing, as Guyana’s premier trade fair and investment show looms closer. This year’s exhibition is being held under the theme, “Strengthening the Traditional, Embracing the New” and the authorities are confident that the event will provide the perfect platform for the showcasing of local businesses and investment opportunities.
GuyExpo, which began in 1995, is now a national event that has a permanent place on the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry’s annual calendar of events. This premier exposition and trade fair offers business associates the opportunity to meet, network, and negotiate with international companies and establishments, as well as showcase their skills, talents and creative work.
The authorities have said that already more than 100 exhibitors have registered for this year’s event, which is anticipated to attract even more participants and exhibitors. From all indications, this year’s event will see a few necessary changes, such as the inclusion of a special session referred to as; “buyer’s time” set aside for investors and businessmen – a specific period during which they will interact with exhibitors, prior to the official opening time.
It was recommended that this interaction should be at least two hours before the gates are opened to facilitate buyers’ interest. We commend the government, particularly the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry for taking the exhibition to a higher level that can easily be matched with similar events anywhere else in the region and even farther afield. There is great potential in providing such a facility for both, consumers and businesses.
However, while there are many success stories in relation to how local businesses have been able to take advantage of the linkages GuyExpo has created, a stronger focus must be placed on the development of small and medium sized enterprises. This is necessary if our local businesses are to enjoy the level of growth and expansion that is needed for them to remain competitive at the regional and international levels.
Additionally, there is a huge Guyanese diaspora that would like to return home and invest in various fields. Already some interest was shown in this regard and more enquiries are being made on a regular basis. It is now for the ministry and by extension the government to go after these individuals and businesses and explore ways in which our country could benefit. There are many investments opportunities in Guyana, and here is where GuyExpo could be used as an avenue where that link is created.
In all of this, the committee would need to ensure that there is an effective and adequate follow-up mechanism in place to, not only to gauge the level of returns or benefits local businesses are receiving, but to ensure that feedback provided by the various stakeholders are acted upon by the relevant agencies, especially in relation to enquiries about creating new and expanding investments etc.
That aside, what is noteworthy is that the GuyExpo planning committee has made a decision that, in an effort to reduce the noise levels at the show which has become a regular feature over the years, more steel pan music, drumming, and other indigenous forms of entertainment, at lower volumes, will be encouraged. This is a good move, as the presence of these huge sound systems blasting their music to the fullest do not necessarily help in achieving the real objectives of the expo.
On this note, we certainly believe that the expo, as was done over the years, should continue to promote things “Guyanese” so that local businesses, service providers and artistes would have an opportunity to showcase what they have or could offer consumers.