GuyExpo showcases Guyana’s potential for self-sufficiency – Min Walrond

Over 250 local companies and small business once again have a chance to shine, with the return of GuyExpo this week – a highly touted event which now showcases the country’s potential for self-sufficiency and a leader in the Caribbean.
What began as an avenue to showcase Guyana’s potential in 1995 has grown into the largest investment and trade exposition in the Caribbean. Now, returning after a hiatus, GuyExpo takes the cake for further cementing networks and propelling trade relations.
GuyExpo is a partnership between the Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry, GO-Invest and the private sector.

Speaking during the opening ceremony at the Sophia Exhibition Centre on Thursday evening, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond said returning this prestigious event to the national calendar brings 250 exhibitors to the centre stage.
The event fuses a wide cross-section of producers of handicrafts, furniture, garments, jewellery, horticulture, pharmaceuticals, tourism, information technology, and our culture. For the thousands of patrons who visit the booths, it is an opportunity to experience the wide range of locally produced products and services from the largest of companies to the smallest micro enterprises.
“GuyExpo is an all-inclusive exhibition, which impacts a wide range of diverse stakeholders from the largest conglomerates to the small-one person enterprises…We are here to restore and rejuvenate GuyExpo, recognising it as an occasion for the entire family with the primary objective of showcasing the richness of our local products and services,” the Minister divulged.

Walrond was keen to note that this is not just a mere exhibition but a showcase of the country’s products and evidence of potential for self-sufficiency.
“That self-sufficiency is one of the practical necessities of true independence. We want you to leave with a renewed sense of national pride, enthusiasm and passion for a locally produced goods. Second, the realisation of this vision requires exposure and marketing. Consumers cannot support local if they are unaware what is available.”
To manufacturers, Walrond noted that this is opportunity to connect consumers to the products and services that the thousands of locals and visitors will view.

She encouraged, “This is your opportunity to showcase the strengths and the uniqueness of your products. Capacity building is also a crucial component of our food security strategy. As a Government, we have been supporting our agro-processors and farmers to build out a more robust and predictable systems with a vision of increasing our exports.”
The Commerce Minister told attendees that the return of GuyExpo ties into Guyana’s instrumental role in realising Caricom’s agenda of slashing its food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
“This is not just a numerical target. It is a strategic move to liberate us from the shackles of dependence on externa markets. The 2025 project is the overarching vision but achieving this ambitious goal requires a symphony of efforts, all of which come together in the objectives that we have set for GuyExpo.”
The theme of GuyExpo 2023 is “Transforming Guyana Through Investment Innovation and Resilience”.
Walrond reasoned, “It is necessary to emphasise that this transformation agenda extends beyond the realm of oil production. We envision a promising future for our manufacturers, farmers, our processors and producers in all sectors of our economy. Therefore, strategic investments are being made in agriculture, energy, infrastructure and tourism, which we see as key to driving growth and creating employment opportunities for our people. Innovation stands as a linchpin in our nation’s transformation. By embracing innovation across diverse sectors from agriculture to technology, we unlock the full spectrum of our creative potential.”