Local agro-processors and other small- and medium-sized businesses in the creative sectors are still awaiting word on government’s response to a request for the state to help finance the participation of a local contingent in the Florida International Trade & Cultural Expo and Conference (FITCE) in October. The request was embodied in communication sent to Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond more than two weeks ago.
The Stabroek Business has been reliably informed that the request targets state subsidies to cover at least part of the cost of return airline tickets for some of the would-be attendees. Concern is growing that the request is yet to secure an official response.
This newspaper has already stated that it has seen a copy of correspondence sent to Minister Walrond making a formal inquiry as to whether the Government of Guyana might be disposed to contributing to defraying the costs associated with local agro-processors and craftsmen and women’s participation in the event. The most recent information reaching this newspaper is that up to this time a response has not been forthcoming. This year’s FITCE will be staged from October 19-22.
While there is still in excess of a month to go prior to the staging of the Florida event, some agro-processors and craft vendors are seeking, at the very least, a meaningful state subsidy that might at least partially cover their airline tickets and accommodation. Concern appears to be mounting that any further delay in receipt of a response to the request for support from the government may mean that hopes of participating in the Florida event will have to be set aside.
Noting that government had appeared to place the growth of the agro-processing sector high on its list of priorities in the context of the wider regional commitment to reducing extra-regional food imports by 25% by 2025, agro-processors with whom the Stabroek Business spoke appeared to be pondering the dichotomy between the apparent lack of urgency associated with an official response to the request and the stated commitment to growing the country’s agro-processing sector. One agro-processor who had previously gone to the Florida event told this newspaper that the proven potential for market openings which the Florida event provides ought to be “a real good incentive” for government to “pitch in” to help the sector market itself abroad. The organisers of the Florida event have already allocated twenty booths for Guyanese enterprises attending the event.
On the whole, the agro-processors and (two) craftspeople with whom the Stabroek Business spoke expressed the view that unlike in previous years, government, presumably, is now better positioned to subsidise agro- processors and craftsmen and women who seek to benefit from the opportunity to market their goods on a bigger stage.
FITCE also provides participants with the opportunity to engage high-level state officials, trade experts and business delegations from around the world who attend the event to engage in trade-related negotiations and foreign direct investment. The organisers estimate that this year’s FITCE will attract more than 2,000 attendees including approximately 500 international businesses and 1,500 ones seeking to engage in trade-related discussions and even to ‘seal deals’.
Stabroek Business understands that the matter of local participation in FITCE 22 was not discussed at the meeting between local agro-processors and Vice President Jagdeo at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Tuesday.
