All 150 booths have been booked out for the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo today which aims to underscore the growing importance of the agricultural sector in Guyana and the broader region.
The Expo is slated to run from today to October 22nd at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), and is being held under the theme “Achieving Vision 25 by 2025.”
During a media briefing on Wednesday and a walk-through at ACCC, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, assured attendees that all preparations are on track for the expo’s grand opening today. The Minister went on to express his optimism that this year’s event would be bigger and better than last year’s.
Mustapha emphasized that the expo is a pivotal platform to address the escalating food import bill within the region and stimulate investments in the agriculture and food production sectors. This crucial matter was agreed upon by Caricom Heads, who recognize that finding sustainable solutions is paramount.
He further explained, “On display would be individual and collective potentials to develop regional agricultural sectors, plans for security and emerging prospects in Caricom’s agricultural base, including technological and logical solutions.”
Guyana’s commitment to modernizing its agricultural sector and the aspiration to be the ‘breadbasket’ of the Caribbean are key drivers behind the event. This underscores the growing interest in the agricultural industry, not only within Guyana but also across the wider region.
The opening ceremony today will feature Carla Barnett, Caricom Secretary General, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, and an address by President Irfaan Ali.
Thus far there are a number on international delegations on board such as Suriname, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Among the exhibitors at the Agri-Expo are the new Rose Hall Sugar Estate, The Baker’s Choice, Guyana Sugar Corporation, W.J Enterprise, Vema Track Guyana, E-networks, Ministry of Housing, Samaroo Investments, Royal Chicken Inc., the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, the Georgetown Chamber and Commerce and Industry and other companies.
The exhibition will be opened from 10 am to 10 pm for the 3 days and is free to the public. A farmers’ market will also be there for the duration of the expo.
