The Guyana Conference of Seventh Day Adventists (GCSA) hosted a vibrant Small Business Exhibition on Sunday, providing a platform for local businesses to showcase their products and services.
The event, held at the Sophia Exhibition Centre, featured a range of locally made products from various small businesses.
Among the exhibitors was Wardy’s Agro Processing, known for offering healthier alternatives to imported food items.
Mitford Ward, the owner, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to promote his health foods, highlighting the philosophy of “let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food.”
Veronica Langford, owner of Veeronke Fashion, presented her custom-made footwear.
She emphasized the locally sourced materials used in her products, including cow leather and softer goat and sheep skins.
Langford’s booth attracted attention for its custom design options and the ability to cater to various sizes and colors.
Edris Somersett, another participant, showcased a selection of local snacks such as plantain chips, sweet potato, and cassava products.
Somersett hoped that participating in the exhibition would increase the demand for his products and foster business growth.
The event aimed to support and promote home-grown businesses, with plans to extend similar exhibitions across various regions.
The government’s support for small businesses is evident through initiatives like the Small Business Bureau and substantial funding.
This year, 450 million dollars were allocated for the replenishment of the small business development fund, and 331 million dollars were designated for the Small Business Bureau to aid the development of small and micro businesses.