GuyExpo expanding to international markets

Georgetown: GuyExpo arguably the largest and longest reigning exposition and trade fair in all of the Caribbean, kick-started its events last night on a high note at the Sophia Exhibition Site, Sophia,Greater Georgetown.

As thousands gathered to witness the opening of this event, acting Tourism Minister, Mr. Irfaan Ali declared that this year’s event has attracted some 115 foreign delegates,the largest contingent ever to date.

What this means, he said, is that “we now have 115 potential foreign investors” who have every confidence in Guyana’s economy. The event has also attracted some 56 international exhibitors from such places as Brazil,Argentina, Bangladesh,Suriname,Australia,French Guiana and Trinidad and Tobago.

But to make things work to our advantage, he said, we cannot afford to be static and yet expect to be part of a transformational process. “We must be able to think and act beyond confined boundaries to take our country forward.”

To press home the point, he noted that at present, we have persons from Barbados using Guyana as a shopping hub once a month. “This is something that we all should be proud of,” he stressed.

He also pointed to a need for a certain boldeness of spirit, without which attribute, he said, persons would forever be afraid to make the right decision. “Boldness is a critical tool for the advancement of any society,” he said.

He reiterated that for the country to move forward, there are some basic needs, and cheap electricity is one, as he called again for the Amaila Falls hydro-power project: “The hydro project is needed for us to continue to be relevant and transform our country.”

He also noted that for the country’s tourism to grow and take its rightful place in the economy, the expansion of Guyana’s international airport is a must.

“So, in transforming our country, I appeal to all of us to transform our mode of thinking; to transform our approach to business [in] both Government and private sector as we develop a strong and sustainable country for all Guyanese,” Minister Ali said as he concluded his remarks.

President Donald Ramotar, during his feature address said that for the past eight years, our country has achieved positive economic growth, as evidenced in the strides it has been able to make.

Noting that GuyExpo is the largest fair of its kind in the Caribbean, President Ramotar said that over the years, its reputation has grown by leaps and bounds, to the extent that it has now become a major event in the Region, attracting both local and foreign businesses.

He said all this has been made possible, thanks in no small measure to the government’s striving over the years to make Guyana a truly free and democratic society. “This is one of the hallmarks of the Government,” the President said, adding that over the years, the Government was also “able to restore the broken-down infrastructure that we inherited,” so that today, our young people are more educated, and can dream big.

President Ramotar said that presently, there are projects that are ongoing, amounting to some $US2.5B, and spread over different sectors of our economy. He also reiterated his call for the Amaila Falls project, noting that cheap electricity would assist persons in saving almost 40% on their current electricity bills.

He raised the point of transportation and the country’s need for improvements in this regard, noting, however, that new roads are needed to make certain areas accessible.

“We need a bigger airport; a more modernised airport. And with this, we can then become the hub for the South America and Caribbean Regions.” The President said that this would be vital to the growth of the tourism sector.