Guyana moves to overcome negative image
By Wendella Davidson
THE investment agency and the Trade, Tourism and Industry Ministry have linked with the private sector and other groups in a major showcase to help the country overcome the negative image that has been dogging it in recent years. Under the theme `Showcasing Guyana for the new millennium', the once annual Guyexpo is on again this year and is being billed as the largest ever. It was not held last year but Guyexpo 2000, at the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Georgetown on August 24-27, is to coincide with a gathering here of the heads of Guyana's diplomatic missions overseas, the Chronicle understands. Reports are that efforts are well under way for the overseas missions to muster groups to visit during the exhibition. Some 100 local manufacturers, big and small, will showcase a variety of handicraft, Information Technology, horticulture, tourism, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, furniture, forestry products, printing and packaging, steel fabrication, garments, rum and beverages, jewellery and services, among others. Trade, Tourism and Industry Minister, Mr Geoffrey Da Silva, at the Guyexpo 2000 launching yesterday, stressed the need for a vision, and for Guyana to overcome the negative image being portrayed about the country. At the ceremony at the Caribbean Rose restaurant, he said Guyanese have to see Guyana in a new way to explore new ways of developing an export strategy. Guyexpo is not only for the big companies and the government is determined to help develop linkages between big and small firms to encourage them to work together, he said. Da Silva pointed out that the focus of Guyexpo is not only on overseas buyers and increasing exports, but also on developing internal markets, which is the major part of the strategy. Promoting trade and business is everybody's business which must be seen as a national effort, and the minister acknowledged that the government has to be more open to the business sector, more supportive and encouraging. Noting the need for an adequate local business environment, he said it is also imperative that linkages in other markets be encouraged, especially in the non-traditional sector. He said there is now a more concerted effort to diversify the economy. Guyexpo 2000 Chairman, Mr Patrick Persaud, boasted that the exhibition over the years has developed a forceful reputation of being a fine promoter of locally manufactured products. Calling on Guyanese to make buying local products non-negotiable, he said the exhibition committee is targeting large industrial organisations and large and small manufacturers involved either in export or with the potential to earn foreign exchange through exports. Persaud said Guyexpo gives the opportunity for Guyana to comfortably be part of the global picture, where trade and investment are the most dominant stimulants in economic growth. The exhibition theme captures the essence and creativity of the event and the major focus is tourism, he reported, adding that the sector has been called on to participate on a large scale. Tour operators who manage resorts in the interior are urged to showcase their facilities in an exciting and creative way, he said. In addition, those who will be visiting from overseas will be encouraged not only to tour but to participate in seminars which will be available. Persaud stressed that Guyexpo 2000 is not only about tourism, and handicraft which can be considered a cottage industry is also part of the thrust. Assuring that handicraft exhibits which include ceramics, tie-dye, batik, leather craft and sculpture all have a place in the export market, he advised that those involved need to band themselves together in an effort to target the market. Ms Malika Alleyne, Investment Officer at the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), which has overall responsibility for staging Guyexpo 2000, outlined plans for the run-up and exhibition. She noted that the agency in collaboration with the Export Promotion Council and the Ministry of Trade, will next week host a seminar at Anna Regina on the Essequibo coast. This is the first in a series of seminars in outlying areas to sensitise and get manufacturers there to participate. Private Sector Commission (PSC) representative, Mr Peter De Groot said the sector though small, can produce the best quality products found anywhere and the association welcomed the opportunity to participate. The focus on tourism is a good gesture and a way of opening up what Guyana has to offer in terms of tourism to visitors, he said. President of the Guyana Manufacturers Association (GMA), Mr Sattaur Gafoor noted that previous Guyexpos offered manufacturers an excellent opportunity to exhibit their goods. He said visitors had invariably commented they were not aware that so many products of high quality are manufactured here. He also confessed he was surprised at the high quality of locally-made cabinets on display at the last exhibition adding that since then his company which previously had imported such items, had ceased and is now supporting the local industry. Gafoor said though he would like to see collaboration between the Finance, Trade and Education ministries, private sector companies and the GMA for children on holiday from school to observe what is being produced by some manufacturers. This will give them an appreciation of what is manufactured in the country and hopefully through the teaching of craft, young students will develop a pride and patriotism to support locally-produced goods. He noted a recent statement by Chairman of Banks DIH, Mr Clifford Reis urging Guyanese to buy local. Persaud said teaching children at school to buy local products helps Guyanese in terms of employment, saves foreign exchange and assists them in getting a better appreciation of the need to support the local industry. Chairing the proceedings was Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Ms Sonya Roopnauth.
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