-by Kyler Rollins
The Berbice Expo and Trade Fair 2026 officially kicked off last evening, featuring more than 180 booths showcasing a wide range of products and services.
Organized by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, the event provides businesses with an opportunity to network, promote their products and services, and forge new partnerships, while creating opportunities for hundreds of businesses to engage with consumers.
The expo, being held at the Rose Hall Estate Community Centre grounds, got underway in an atmosphere of commerce and wholesome family entertainment.
The more than 180 booths feature a diverse range of exhibitors, including small businesses, private-sector companies and government agencies, offering a variety of products and services.
NCN News spoke with several small businesses showcasing their locally produced products, many of whom also expressed appreciation for the support provided by the Small Business Bureau, GO-Invest and the Guyana Marketing Corporation.
Mark Singh, Co-owner of Maliyah’s Kitchen, told NCN that his business is garnering great response.
“We at Maliyah’s Kitchen produces authentic Guyanese snacks such as the tasty mithai, the salsav, the milk powder fudge and our delicious black cake…the response is great due to the innovation. I mean, who would’ve thought that mithai and chicken foot would’ve been packaged in such a great package,” he said.
Dawn Ogle, owner of Caribbean Moss Guyana, shared the benefits of her product.
She said, “Sea moss is very good for you. It’s very healthy. Our bodies require 102 minerals and vitamins to function healthily and sea moss has 92 out of it.”
Meanwhile, private-sector companies expressed satisfaction with their contribution to Berbice’s growing construction sector since expanding their operations to the region.
MACORP’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Nadia de Abru, said, “We’re not concentrated in any one area but we saw the need in Berbice as well and so we decided that we should extend our reach to Berbice so that we could support the business development her.”
The expo continues through Monday, October 5, and is being held under the theme: “Harnessing AI to Transform the Future While Enhancing Our People.”