GuyExpo 2014 a resounding success-tourism Minister Written by Gina Webmasters Published in News Georgetown, GINA, October 6, 2014 The curtains on GuyExpo 2014 came down 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. Private sector lauded
The Minister commended those from the private sector as he noted that 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. In some instances the Minister 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 an under-estimation in the supplies - the local supermarket and furniture were big hits, Trinidadians are interested in our furniture. Nonetheless, the Minister noted that patrons were satisfied with the event overall, moreso the new traffic arrangement and layout of the booths which both allowed for a better flow of traffic and patrons. Some of the confectionaries, which are made locally under the Suria brand 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. However, as it relates to the entertainment provided to patrons Minster Ali said, The debate on how much entertainment is too much entertainment, for an expo that brings on one night 30,000 people 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 and many persons including the media they are calling on us, looking at the crowd, to extend it. I always believe on ending on a high and leaving an awe of expectation to come in the next year. Foreign delegations
According to Minister Ali this year s event saw the largest international delegation with more than 116 buyers, suppliers, and business operatives participating. This 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. A section of the large gathering at GuyExpo 2014 at Sophia Exhibition Centre Minister Ali opined 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, Manager. President Donald Ramotar, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Tourism (ag) Irfaan Ali at the Guyana Supermarket 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. The President noted that the systems which the current PPP/C administration has put in place are responsible for Guyana s economic performance, and continued development.
Countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, India, the United States of America, Pakistan, Argentina, Brazil, Bangladesh, French Guiana and Suriname participated in the event. Resourcefulness of Guyanese President 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. President Donald Ramotar and Mrs. Yvonne Hinds while visiting another local booth at GuyExpo Giving an invited comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA), as he visited the booths, the president said that the fact that thousands of people from all walks of life attended the event, clearly indicates that public/ private partnership, is being embraced by stakeholders.
The president's visit was welcomed by business entrepreneurs who eagerly took the opportunity to explain, personally, what their displays showcased. GuyExpo which showcases locally produced goods and services, became an annual event in 2004. and is now the longest sustained exhibition in the Caribbean.