Greater exposure for local products as Stabroek Marketplace goes online

Guyanese now have a wider platform to market and sell local products to the world with the launch of the Stabroek Online Marketplace – an online shopping website akin to Amazon.com but strictly for Guyana-branded goods.
Stabroek Online Marketplace is an E-commerce platform which would facilitate the buying and selling of Guyana’s local products globally.
The official launch of this website took place on Tuesday at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.
According to Chief Executive Officer of this platform, Altiya Turner, this online platform would cater for both small and large businesses.
“Stabroek Online Marketplace is an E-commerce platform that was created with Guyanese businesses in mind, to facilitate buying and selling across international borders,” she said.
“The platform also includes other divisions, such as Stabroek Travel, which is a differentiated E-booking platform for local tour experiences and accommodation,” she stated.
Turner explained that Stabroek Online Marketplace aims to enable local companies to optimise business transactions locally, increase their visibility both locally and internationally, capture new market share, and increase revenue opportunities.
“The cornerstones of our business are efficiency, transparency, and seamless customer experience. To fulfill our promise in this regard, we have invested heavily to ensure that we have the most-cutting-edge technology in terms of bill applications, payment options, and diversified logistics options,” she added.
The Stabroek Online Marketplace is currently open for early registration to sellers, who would benefit from a 30-day free subscription after the online platform goes live on May 19.
Through this platform, delivery is also an option that will vary from premium to affordability.
The minimum requirements for sellers to register include business registration and tax compliance. Each seller would pay a subscription fee of US$40.
The CEO of the platform explained that each transaction would be followed by a transaction fee, which will vary depending on the category of seller and the type of product.
She noted that the platform is different from other online shopping platforms such as Facebook Market Place.
“So, what differentiates Stabroek Marketplace from Facebook Marketplace is that you have a consolidated or you have business solution in one platform. So, we offer the payment component; we offer the logistics options, or alternatives that are required; and we also offer the after-sale customer service, that would not necessarily be offered on Facebook marketplace,” she explained.
“With regard to transaction, the accountability that is required to respect customer rights and to ensure that there are no violations in that regard is something that you’re guaranteed of on Stabroek Online Marketplace, but not so much on Facebook Marketplace,” she explained.
Meanwhile, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Timothy Tucker, has said his organisation supports the initiative, which would particularly benefit small businesses.
“So, this initiative is completely supported by the Chamber, and it coincides at the precise time, of course, with the National Small Business Week, which is launched by the GCCI and GTT,” he explained.
“The purpose of the Small Business Week was to advertise and promote small businesses that are taking part in the event, and of course this now will continue that journey of small businesses, because it gives them the opportunity to have what is intended by the Small Business Week to be done in one, that this can be done all year round,” Tucker noted.
Also supporting the initiative is John Edghill, a representative from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce, who challenged members of Stabroek Online Marketplace to not only promote and support the Coastal regions of Guyana, but also its interior and hinterland regions. (Amar Persaud)