Guyana Expo for Broward County, Florida

Last Updated on Thursday, 18 September 2014, 9:23 by GxMedia

Broward County, Florida– Plans have been finalized for an exhibition of Guyanese products and tourist attractions to be held here October 30 to November 1^st at the Omni Auditorium of Broward College’s North Campus.

The Guyana Trade, Tourism and Investment Expo is being organized by the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) in conjunction with Broward College and the Consulate of Guyana under the auspices of Florida State Representative (D-District 95) Hazelle P. Rogers and Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief.

Plans for the expo, which will also involve a number of workshops, were finalized during a recent visit to Guyana by Representative Hazelle Rogers at the invitation of Guyana’s Honorary Consul Mr. Ramzan Roshanali who was also in Guyana for the visit.

During her visit to Guyana, accompanied by Guyanese business executive and former diplomat Wesley Kirton, Rep. Rogers held meetings with the local private sector and government officials. She paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues, Acting Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Webster and Transport Minister Robeson Benn.

Representative Rogers also visited the Guyana Festival where she had the opportunity to see many of the products and services offered by Guyanese companies as well as enjoy a taste of the diverse Guyanese culture.

The visiting delegation held a meeting at Go-Invest with artisans and representatives of companies who have expressed interest in participating in the expo and with a Go-Invest team headed by executive chairman Mr. Keith Burrowes.

“It was indeed a very productive visit and we now look forward to welcoming in October all the exhibitors who will take advantage of this opportunity to find markets in Florida. This is also an opportunity for them to source raw material, equipment and other requirements they have for their operations in Guyana,” Rep. Rogers said.

She advised that arrangements were being put in place in Florida to match the visiting companies and artisans with companies that would have an interest in distributorships, retail sales and the supply of raw material and equipment. A number of workshops to address issues such as the requirements of US regulatory agencies including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Fish and Wildlife Service, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATB) and Environmental Protection Agency, are also being planned.

“Mayor Sharief and I are very pleased, as is the administration of Broward College to have this in-bound trade delegation from Guyana which in fact will be the largest such delegation to come to Broward County and to collaborate with the Government and People of Guyana on this important event especially since Florida is a major trading partner with Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),” the elected official said.

“I am also pleased that a number of small artisans and craftspeople will be participating in this expo. I was very impressed with many of the products I saw on display at the Guyana Festival and the samples which some exhibitors brought when they met with us at Go-Invest,” Rogers said.

She also was loud in her praise for the Guyanese cultural talent on display at the festival pointing out that “it is critical that local talent be given a platform to promote their music. I felt the energy and shared the pride of the audience when Ms. Lisa Punch took to the stage.”

Rep. Rogers also welcomed the opportunity to visit the majestic Kaieteur Falls. 

The planning committee for the event, headed by Guyana born former diplomat Wesley Kirton,

has already held several meetings. Other agencies collaborating on the planning of this expo

include the Broward County Office for Economic and Small Business Development, the

 Global Trade Chamber and the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce.