With food and fashion being among the ‘go to’ options for the promotion of countries beyond their borders, Guyana will not be among the seven (7) Caribbean countries seizing the opportunity afforded by the forthcoming Speciality & Fine Food Fair (SFFF) at the Olympia Hotel in London on September 5th and 6th.
Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Kits, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica and St. Lucia will parade their ‘offerings’ under the “Absolutely Caribbean Pavilion” ‘brand,’ thereby boosting their chances of expanding into the lucrative European market.
While the Stabroek Business was unable to determine the reason for Guyana’s certain absence from an extra-regional event that might offer a ground-breaking marketing opportunity for local businesses in the fashion, food and beverage sectors, it should be noted that the omission/exclusion occurs at a time when government has made public its wish to undertake a multi-faceted international promotion of Guyana and what it has to offer in the light of the anticipated oil and gas-driven transformations in the country.
Interestingly, the brands that will be ‘on show’ in London are all supported by both the European Union (EU) and the Caribbean Export Development Agency, whose mission, a release on the event says, is to “attract leading European buyers and distributors” to ‘experience’ “a range of traditional products made from indigenous ingredients including hot pepper sauce, turmeric paste, jellies and jams, cocoa, tea, beer and rum.”
The SFFF is regarded as “the go-to showcase for emerging and established brands within the artisan, fine food and drink industry”. It is renowned for uncovering ground-breaking and inspiring products as well as predicting emerging trends and this year over 10,000 visitors from around the world are expected to attend the annual event.
Ironically, members of Guyana’s industrious agro-processing and fashion communities are keeping their fingers crossed that a request to the Government of Guyana for financial Support to enable their participation in the October 19-20, Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo (FITCE) will bear fruit. Would-be participants in the event are seeking subsidies to help defray travel and accommodation expenses associated with travel and accommodation costs in the United States.
Guyana’s absence from the SFFF will mean that local fashion designers and agro-processors will miss what has been described as the “go-to showcase for emerging and established brands within the artisan, fine food and drink industry.” Promotional material on the event says that it is “renowned for uncovering ground-breaking and inspiring products as well as predicting emerging trends.”
What is significant about Guyana’s certain absence from the SFFF event and the threat posed to participation in the FITCE is that these come at a time when promised oil and gas-related transformations in the country’s economy provide more than ample reason for the promotion of the country and what it has to offer abroad.
