Guyana’s goods and services on display as Guyexpo 2012 opens

Georgetown : With fireworks, cultural programme and a large crowd, Guyana’s biggest trade exhibition Guyexpo 2012 opened last evening under the theme “Strengthening the traditional, embracing the New”.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the duties of president said that Guyexpo offers an opportunity for one to learn about the goods and services that are being produced locally, along with the range, the diversity, the quality and the price.

“It is an occasion where nearly all of us find some pleasant surprises…we did not know that our people could produce those goods with that quality and at good prices…Guyexpo is therefore an occasion for celebrating our achievements,” Hinds said.

He added that it is also an occasion that challenges and encourages persons to do even better, learning from each other, to compete in a friendly and productive way.

“Guyexpo from one year to another challenges us…we Guyanese over the last decades have been able to provide better for ourselves each year through our work…providing a greater amount of goods and services,” the acting President said.

Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce (ag) Irfaan Ali said that the private sector is the engine of growth and it must be the bedrock on which economic advancement is made however, the government has an important role in facilitating that growth and ensuring the policy framework is there to stimulate it.

Apart from the celebrations, former Ministers of Tourism were honoured for their stint in office during which they contributed significantly to the enhancement of Guyexpo, thereby laying the foundation for what it is today.

The opening ceremony attracted cultural performances from the Chinese Association, the National Steel Orchestra and a collaborative dance troupe.

Those recognised were: Shree Chand (posthumously), Jeff Da Silva, Manzoor Nadir and Manniram Prashad.