“Guyana is the place to be” – local & foreign exhibitors

– as new services dominate Int’l Building Expo 2022

Diving into the opportunities with Guyana on the cusp of extreme economic growth, newer and foreign companies have entered the market to service the public domain and upcoming industries.
At the International Building Expo currently ongoing at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), exhibitors are introducing new products and innovative services to the Guyanese market.
Guyana Times visited the exhibition site on Saturday, with the excitement still buzzing to showcase technological and smart housing solutions.
Seal Sprayed Solutions, an insulation company that operates in countries like Trinidad and Jamaica, has introduced its services for companies and homeowners. Dr Mark Williams said the aim is to introduce insulation to the home building processing in Guyana.

Dr Williams pointed out that insulation is needed, given the high costs for electricity when compared to other regional countries. Already, they have been contracted to commence works at the Amazonia Mall, East Bank Demerara.
“What we’re doing is introducing insulation to Guyana. Everybody here lives under concrete or a metal roof and it is an oven in the day. When we ask everybody why they do it, it’s kinda like their parents and neighbours do it. But it is something we should really not be doing.”
“This is a way to insulate your building and keep it cool…Basically, we’re going to turn your house or commercial business into an igloo and it’ll be much cooler with less electricity.”

This company came into the arena a few days ago with this new service. So far, the response has been “excellent”.
He told this publication, “The Government did a wonderful job with this expo. It showcases the possibilities and what is available right now. It is an excellent step by President Irfaan Ali and his team. I think we’re going forward.”
On the other hand, Dekking Limited is bringing newer finishing products for floors. Ian Hamel-Smith said world-renowned brands are featured in their services.
“We’re based in Trinidad and this is my first time in Guyana. We’re now trying to tap into the Guyanese market now and apparently, this is the place to do it. So far, it is a fantastic place. I’ve been meeting a lot of good people and I’m glad I came.”

Since Guyana is upsurging in infrastructure and new buildings, Dekking Limited is trying to capitalise on this market.
“What we have here to offer is exactly what they need. It’s quality products and its things that you can and cannot find in Guyana. A lot of it is new and price points is for lower-end, middle and high-end.” Hamel-Smith shared.
On the infrastructure side, DuraVilla Homes is focused on modular timber homes, preconstructed and smaller than typical housing units here. Regional Manager, Shalima Fakira said the demand is diversifying and people are now seeking smaller living arrangements that can be expanded.

“We realised that there is a different shift in preferences of homes so persons have now been asking for starter homes that they can expand in the future. Our homes are expandable so you can start with a two-bedroom home and end up with a four-bedroom home, cause it’s based on panels,” said Fakira.
She added, “We have seen a lot of interest in our homes in particular. It’s very adaptable to any piece of land. You just source your foundation and land.”
GuyBraz is a security company, focusing on automated gates. Marvin Datson highlighted that with developments comes the need for heightened and smart security, which can be operated on a mobile application.
He relayed, “We’re on an industrial boom right now. We are developing. We are about to get out there in the big market and security is a big factor. We need to be up to standard.”
Gates can be enforced with this automated system for both home and commercial purposes.
Apart from such booths, commercial banks, private sector companies, and State agencies are represented to showcase every aspect of infrastructural development.
The expo has returned after a hiatus under the theme: “A New Frontier For Building a One Guyana” and is dubbed the blueprint of the future infrastructure.
It has attracted some 350 participants, of which at least 25 are foreign companies including some from the Caribbean – Suriname, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados along with others from the United States, Canada, and Ghana.
Over 5000 house lots are also to be distributed this weekend. For today, the gates are opened to the public from 10:00h to 23:00h.