Invitation to Green Guyana Expo
Green Guyana Expo and Summit Launched
The Green Guyana Expo and International Small Business Summit was on Friday launched at the Ramada Hotel with the intention of promoting innovation and driving Guyana towards the Green State Development Strategy under the theme “Sustainable economic growth through small businesses innovation, entrepreneurship and transformative Government policies”.
At the launch, ideas were exchanged by the partnering organisations on the exhibits and sectors that are being promoted as well as the various inputs that will be made.
Chairman of the African Business Roundtable (ABP), Eric Phillips stated that Guyana needs to steer clear of the use of fossil fuels which make it a brown economy and move towards sustainable sources of energy. As such, many stakeholders with innovative technologies and creations will be on site to brief the public on their services and what can be achieved using renewable resources.
“Our Expo and Summit is about Guyana’s future for job creation, innovation and entrepreneurship. Guyana cannot compete effectively in a brown economy. We do not have comparative or competitive advantage. The green economy will offer us both of those.”
He also revealed all varieties of business establishments will be allowed to participate in the summit with the intention of capturing new markets and partnerships with international companies.
“Whether the business is in its startup phase or it is a well-established business, this summit will provide them with the transformational experience to help them stay ahead of the competition,” he said.
Meanwhile, Finance Director, Hector Butts, related that with the expo in mind, their focus will also be on widening the tax base and capturing partnerships at a lower cost, with the increased enterprises and new businesses that are expected to be produced after the completion of the event. He highlighted that one of the main sectors being promoted will be the increase in entrepreneurship among many youths.
“As we move towards expanding the success of small businesses, as we widen the economic base we also widen the tax base,” he stated.
Additionally, Professor Leyland Lucas of the School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (SIBI) shared what is in store for the small businesses and his institution at the end of the summit. He too called for organisations to participate in green economical activities.
“Sustainability is driven by necessity. Small businesses are the engine of growth. SIBI sees itself as playing a vital and important role in the transformation of the Guyanese economy, as we balance the needs of our existing economy especially with the onset of gas and the need for us to have a green economy,” the professor explained.
The exhibition and summit is slated for September 17 and 18, featuring over 100 innovative booths. The summit will be held at the Ramada Hotel, while the exhibition will be hosted at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.