Mohamed’s Poultry Farm has been in operation since 1994 but though it has expanded its production to include value added products, it has not been able to penetrate international markets.
As the Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition 2018 opened at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, the company, which supplies poultry products under the “Royal Chicken” brand, has positioned itself in a booth at the Marriott Hotel. It hopes that at the event, which aims to connect local and international buyers and producers, will be able to help it form lasting partnerships which will see the export of chicken, locally made chicken sausages and other by-
products.
They can visit our plant if they need to see what we have,” Rasheed Baksh, General Manager of the farm told the News Room.
Mohamed’s farm was one of several small businesses represented at the event including women’s groups which make various items to sell.
Supported by the Small Businesses Bureau (SBB), Pleasurable Flavours, producer of various flavoured teas and operated by Dianna Plowell of Region Ten (Upper Demerara- Berbice) is seeking opportunities to expand the business.
“I would like to have a good export market…and for a good investor –somebody that is going to take the business further, to be onboard,” Plowell told News Room.
Pleasurable Flavours produces Cake fruits and various flavours of pepper sauce which is made with the addition of mango, cucumber, corilla and tamarind.
E-Networks, the parent company of News Room, Comfort Sleep, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Massy Group, Fly Jamaica, Caribbean Airlines and Action Coach among others, are some of the bigger companies at the event.
Delivering remarks at the opening of the Exhibition, Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Desmond Sears called for more partnerships. He said while the business community welcomes investment, it advocates for joint ventures with local companies.
“We believe this will be in the best interest for Guyanese businesses and by extension, Guyana,” he said.
Business Minister Dominic Gaskin said the exhibition is more than numbers and ticket sales. He said it will contribute to long term export earnings.
“While this year we are focusing on linking Guyanese producers and service providers with international buyers, the long term vision is to link international exhibitors with international buyers and to create a forum for international trade right here in Guyana,” he added.
The Guyana Trade and Investment Exhibition runs from September 19 to the 22. It seeks to promote ‘export ready’ products.
The event was also addressed by Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST), Owen Verwey and President David Granger.
The Head of State in his remarks called on the private sector to fulfill the role of “increasing international trade and at avoiding the dangers of insularity.”
“Guyana will soon become the Caribbean’s foremost investment destination. The private sector should aim at building capacity and establishing strategic partnerships to be able to exploit the opportunities which will flow from the petroleum sector,” he stated.
The event saw attendance of foreign buyers from Korea, Cuba and the United States among others.
GUYTIE is being held under the theme: “Made Locally, Trading Globally”.
