Quality control, premium branding showcased at Uncapped Marketplace

Quality control and premium branding are being showcased by seasoned manufacturers at this year’s Uncapped Marketplace while new producers are seeking to make their way into the Guyanese market.
The event, which is organised at zero cost to producers by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), has become a haven for local businesses to establish a base in the market.
On Saturday, the event kickstarted at the National Stadium tarmac at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and those who have been showing up at previous Uncapped have introduced new products or have improved their branding and marketing.

Women-owned businesses also dominated local producers at the exhibit.
Speaking with Guyana Times, GMSA’s Ramsay Ali explained that some 120 agro-processors have been given the opportunity to showcase their products.
“This is the first event for the year by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association. We’ve got just about 120 exhibitors here, all local products produced by Guyanese. We’ve got some of the larger companies also here…If you were to walk through, you would see that there is a significant improvement in packaging, quality control, and extension of their product lines. In the last four years or so, at least 40 of them who started with us are now exporting their products out of Guyana,” Ali noted.
A visit to the booths saw many innovative products being featured, some of which contained only natural ingredients.
Managing Director of Khayr Organics, Earlecia Hieronymo explained that her business focuses on plant-based hair and skin food for men, women, and babies. Her baby line features marigold as the healing component. Chamomile, lavender, tea tree, moringa, and other organic ingredients are used in her products.
Starting in 2020, the business was launched to support the journey of healthy living and wholesome wellness.
“We are currently stocking products in collections and the first collection we have at the moment is the Bassara collection, which contains shampoo, conditioner, and two types of hair oils. We also have the Khayr baby line which is the first plant-based baby care line in Guyana. We don’t need heavy surfactants. We use very mild surfactants…When we say wholesome wellness, we mean physical health, mental health, and wellness of a whole,” she explained.
One of the newer businesses was Artsy Craft, founded by 27-year-old Raveena Taraman in 2020. It was initially started to cushion her medical school expenses. She has over 15 candle scents, string art, and other craft items.
“I’m looking for the exposure. This would be a great opportunity for me and it is my first year at Uncapped. The response has been good and a lot of people like the candles. I’m very grateful for that,” Tharman told this publication.
The exhibit featured Iticia Primo, whose idea to make people’s cooking experience less tedious turned into a successful enterprise. She has now specialised in jarred garlic and ginger that is ready to use, pickles, and sauces under the Flavour Me banner.

“We have seven products available: pepper sauce, grated garlic, grated ginger, ginger and garlic paste, mixed pickles, and our pickled onions. It’s all organic…I decided why not do it for consumers and a lot of people have given a good response to the idea,” Primo shared.
This year, Uncapped Marketplace featured producers who have already had their products tested. Alicia James of Body Essentials Organic Skincare Line shared that her hair oil has been a bestseller.
“Our products are licensed by the Food and Drug Department for manufacturing. So, you don’t have to worry about what you’re using on your skin. Body Essentials is a household name now,” she beamed.
At her booth with over 50 products was Sursattie Paul from Grove, East Bank Demerara, under her brand, Fresh Packagers. From seasonings to pepper sauces to authentic snacks, she has been creating new products since her launch some 13 years ago.
“When you think about the kitchen, think about all the spices we have for curry, stews, chowmein, and everything for the kitchen. For health benefits, we have sesame seeds, turmeric and chia seeds.”
Paul was elated at the opportunity to reach a wider audience through the event as she expressed, “At this Uncapped, we get to interact with our old customers and we also get new customers.”
Meanwhile, Radhika Basdeo has successfully set up her business, Basdeo’s Dynasty, since she launched in 2021 and has achieved the Made In Guyana mark issued by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards. She offers dried salted fish, spices, achars, and split peas powder among other products on her local line.