Guyana scores big once more at (FITCE) in Florida winning 20 spots this year

BY MICHAEL THOMAS

(FITCE) aka Florida’s International Trade & Cultural Expo and Conference have awarded Guyana 20 free spots this year to showcase its country’s culture and products, which makes crucial business connections including importing and exporting ties between both countries.

The event will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from October 18^th -20^th. This year FITCE brings together more than 100 businesses from some 60 countries.

This is the second time that Guyana has had a very good showing in this race. In 2019, the country had the single largest delegation of any participating country and several of these businesses benefited from tutoring on exporting to the US from agencies such as: the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce (GACC) president had this to say,

“Once again, the GACC has secured free registrations and booths for 20 exhibitors from Guyana and encourages small and medium-sized enterprises in Guyana to register early. 

The Chamber will also seek to have discussions with the Government of Guyana to determine what assistance could be given to deserving small businesses to participate in this event,” says Wesley Kirton, GACC President.

Since 2017 Guyana has been a part of this FITCE event, and one of the fruits of its labour is the acquisition of a license by Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) to establish a World Trade Centre in Guyana.

The GACC is encouraging early registration by companies in Guyana to be able to match these with companies with an interest in importing their products and produce, as well as identifying potential distributors for US products in Guyana.

Paola Issac Baraya, who is the Specialist Economist, International Trade, and chair of the organizing team for the event had these words to say concerning the event.

“FITCE will welcome local and international companies to the Greater Fort Lauderdale / Broward County Convention Centre in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a unique opportunity to engage: high-level government leaders, international trade experts, and delegations from around the world. This is a great opportunity to participate in dialogue relating to: international trade, foreign direct investment, and culture.” 

“There has been a lot of interest in Guyana ever since oil and gas were discovered there. All this peaked last October when Florida was host to a high-level delegation from Guyana headed by the Prime Minister, which participated in a ‘Doing Business with Guyana’ forum put on by the Guyanese Chamber,” Ms. Baraya said.

She also noted that her office is committed to working with the GACC to assist in matching businesses from Guyana with those in the US to expand trade and investment, and to help develop up-and-coming industries such as the creative industries which include arts and culture.

Speaking of U.S and Guyana trade and investments, just as recently as July, President Ali was in the U.S and met with several high-ranking government officials there, here is what Guyana’s President had to say about his country’s relationship with the U.S.A.

“We have been discussing many matters of mutual interest, and areas in which we can strengthen and expand our relationship. The goal of this week is to bring harmonization between the plans and programs of Guyana, and the aspirations of the U.S, both at the governmental level and the private sector.”