GuyExpo attracted close to 30,000 visitors – Irfaan Ali

Oct 07, 2014 News

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The curtain came down on GuyExpo 2014 on Sunday night and the four-day event which attracted close to 30,000 people each night has been deemed a resounding success by Minister of Tourism (Ag) Irfaan Ali.

In summing up the event which also saw 116 foreign exhibiting delegations, Minister Ali said, “GuyExpo 2014 has been a resounding success from many perspectives in terms of the corporate sponsorship and the companies that support this event and the private sector.”
The Minister commended those from the private sector. They participated unhesitatingly, under a very competitive environment and under significant changes in business circumstances.
“These companies have stood by the event, they have ensured that they budgeted for the sponsorship of the event and we must salute the private sector and the private companies, and the government for their continuous involvement both financially and physically in the planning of GuyExpo.”
Concerning the level of preparation, Minister Ali noted this has tremendously improved, in terms of branding.
Minister Ali noted that the local exhibitors underestimated the crowd, and as such, were not prepared to deliver to persons interested in the local products.
“Many booths had to be re-stocked. There was under-estimation in the supplies. The local supermarket and furniture were big hits. Trinidadians are interested in our furniture.”
The new traffic arrangement and layout of the booths allowed for a better flow of traffic and patrons.
In addition, ranks of the Guyana Police Force were singled out for exceptional praise since, according to Minister Ali, they did an exceedingly professional job at maintaining order and preserving the ground of GuyExpo.
Minster Ali said, “The debate on how much entertainment is too much entertainment, for an expo that brings on one night 30,000 people raged. Such an event requires a high degree of entertainment because after the expo, persons want to be entertained.”
As such, Minister Ali said the Ministry of Tourism has been able to strike the balance between the level of music, the level of entertainment, the timing of the entertainment and exhibitors.
“I think that all in all GuyExpo has been a tremendous success. Many persons including the media are calling on us to extend it. I always believe on ending on a high and leaving an air of expectation to come in the next year.”
According to Minister Ali, this year’s event saw the largest international delegation with more than 116 buyers, suppliers, and business operatives participating.
“This in itself speaks to the international traction that GuyExpo is getting. Definitely it has become more efficiently marketed, and as a result more persons are coming in specifically to benefit from it.”
Minister Ali said that the recently concluded investment forum which was a resounding success as well also played a significant role in encouraging participation at GuyExpo.
“We had many MOUs signed. We have about five prospective business initiatives that are on the verge of being signed so, from an investment perspective it has been very successful.”
Guyana and Barbados on Thursday inked a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at establishing Trade Missions between the two countries.
The MOU was signed by Keith Burrowes, Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Office for Investment and Madaline Headley-Woodroffe, Business Development Officer, Barbados Industrial Development Corporation.
Solaris Technologies of Trinidad and Tobago, which offers environmentally friendly, sustainable energy management solutions and products, aimed at encouraging businesses and households to reduce energy consumption, is currently expanding its operations.
The goal is to open up shop in Guyana having already done so in Barbados, Jamaica and Miami.
Meanwhile at the opening night of Guyana’s largest exposition, Head of State, Donald Ramotar told investors that Guyana is a safe place to invest.
Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, India, the United States of America, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, French Guiana and Suriname participated  in the event.
President Donald Ramotar on Saturday night described Guyana’s and indeed the Caribbean’s largest trade fair and exposition as a fantastic event, which shows the industriousness and resourcefulness of local entrepreneurs.
This year saw hundreds of local entrepreneurs participating, showcasing the creativeness and locally grown and manufactured products.
GuyExpo which showcases locally produced goods and services, became an annual event in 2004 and is now the longest sustained exhibition in the Caribbean. (GINA)

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