The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association has set up a 'Benab Duty-Free Shop' at the Umana Yana, to complement the 2022 International Energy Conference and Expo. Around 30 local companies will have their products on display in this area.
News Update on Tuesday spoke to several of the exhibitors who expressed gratitude for this opportunity since this is the first time they are able to promote their products since the Covid-19 pandemic started.
Joan Winter, an indigenous woman from Region Nine, said she is looking to promote her local craft to foreigners.
“I have been working on these crafts for a long time and for the past two years, I haven’t made anything,”
she said.
On display are earrings, necklaces, bracelets, headdresses, and bags that are made from local products such as cotton and seeds.
Nicholas Young, owner of Rainforest Pottery said this initiative is welcomed. He explained that it will give him an opportunity to showcase his talent while attracting potential business opportunities.
“It represents Guyana on this level, and secondly it’s a chance to acquire most needed sales because of the drought we have been going through,”
Young noted.
Meanwhile, Princess Cosbert, the owner of Essence of Herbs, a local herb company, said while they are displaying their products, she is also looking for an investor to invest in her company.
“We just want someone that can do a large order than someone that just walk in and buy one thing,”
she explained.
Lawrence Braithwaite, a visually impaired man and owner of Braf’s Manufacturing also said he is looking for investment opportunities at the expo,
“I’m expecting to meet prospective buyers and maybe export my products to some company overseas,”
he told News Update.
The duty-free shopping area is now open at the Umana Yana only to foreign delegates of the conference.
The event is being managed by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) with support from the government and the Private Sector Commission (PSC).
