A Chinese company is set to edify and prepare local agricultural entrepreneurs at the upcoming GuyExpo to find more efficient, technological and innovative ways in both production and marketing.
“Basically this year we are trying to push technology to reduce the cost of doing business,” Minister of Trade and Tourism Irfaan Ali said yesterday at a press briefing where he gave an update on plans for GuyExpo 2013.
While Ali did not name the Chinese company, he said that it has “great experience” in packaging and machinery—a skill that farmers and processors here will benefit tremendously from.
He said that a business summit, held in collaboration with the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA), will be conducted, where international businesses will share their experience with the local business community.
Head of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh, who is one of the lead organisers, had told Stabroek News that Chinese exhibiters would occupy 25 of the 85 booths allocated to international guests. A total of 460 booths have been made available at the Sophia Exhibition Site for the event. Exhibitors will also be coming from India, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Grenada, St. Lucia, and French Guiana and they will be showing, among other things, foods, spices, wine, and equipment.
Businesses from Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and Suriname, countries that have previously participated in GuyExpo, will be returning this year. A delegation from St Lucia is expected for the event for the first time.
Ali also stated that for the first time there will be an evening of music fashion and dance designated to highlight and promote local talent. A special 68 page GuyExpo 2013 magazine will also launched.
A special ‘Kiddies Park’ will be made so that children can be entertained as organisers opined that “Children will always be children and want to be a part.” Organisers yesterday said that plans were coming along smoothly and that security measures had been made with assistance from the Guyana Police Force, the Fire Service and private security companies. Police will also be monitoring the noise levels so that residents in the surrounding areas would not be disturbed.
The ministry will be pre-selling tickets since there will be a limit of 25,000 persons per day in an effort to reduce the congestion usually experienced at the venue. Another means of easing the congestion will be the provision of three entrances instead of one and there will be four gates at the main entrance.
Persons may purchase tickets from a list of supermarkets, stores and gas stations countrywide. Children in uniform will be admitted free on the second day of the event, which will run from October 3 to October 6.
This year’s expo is being staged under the theme, ‘Advancing productivity through innovation, modernisation and expansion.’
