The planned inaugural Green Guyana Expo and International Small Business Summit is being touted as a demonstration of Guyana’s plan to promote economic diversification using oil revenues.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, Eric Phillips, Chairperson of the event, said Guyana “is in a unique position with all the land we have and small population to really diversify our economy so it is sustainable. We will have an oil sector in our economy and the revenues from that oil sector will drive sustainable, diversified green growth.”
The report noted that the event is slated for October 18th to October 20th at the National Stadium’s tarmac, Providence East Bank Demerara, while its the International Small Business Summit component will be hosted at the Princess Ramada Hotel from October 18th to October 19th.
Phillips explained that the summit will feature panel discussions on the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) draft framework, green energy, green manufacturing agriculture and agro-processing, among other topics.
Panellists will include experts from 16 countries, including a delegation from Barbados. However, Phillips noted space is limited and encouraged those interested to register early.
Some 120 exhibitors are expected to participate in the exposition, which features displays of greenhouses, green communities, green transportation and other green alternatives by Guyanese businesses and financial institutions.
Phillips said the event is being sponsored by the private sector, with seed funding from the government. President David Granger is expected to declare the expo open while Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge will formally open the Business Summit.
