The World Trade Centers in Guyana and Miami, Florida, have forged a promising alliance with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to tap into trade and investment opportunities. The agreement includes facilitating the participation of Guyanese enterprises in the upcoming international Food and Beverage Show of the Americas in Miami later this year.
The signing ceremony, held at the WTC Miami office, marked a pivotal moment as President and CEO of WTC Miami, Ivan Barrios, and WTC Georgetown Executive Director, Wesley Kirton, formalized their commitment to collaboration. The scope of their partnership encompasses various areas such as market intelligence, business networking, trade policy information sharing, and capacity building.
In his virtual address, Komal Samaroo, Chairman of Demerara Distillers Ltd. and WTC Georgetown, emphasized the crucial role of the World Trade Center in Guyana in fostering trade relations. He underscored the importance of enhancing trade between Guyana and the US, particularly in light of global shifts in food security and supply chain dynamics.
Highlighting the significance of the Food and Beverage Show of the Americas, Ivan Barrios announced initiatives to support Guyanese food producers, including complimentary participation for eligible businesses. Alicia Ancona, Vice President of WTC Miami, extended a warm welcome to Guyana’s involvement in the event, emphasizing the opportunities for networking and market exploration.
“That’s something that we work with countries that have not yet been at the show. We encourage them to visit. We meet with them beforehand; we do tours beforehand… to have the opportunity to meet with potential partners as they explore either entering the US market or exporting globally,” Ancona highlighted .
Expressing gratitude for the collaboration, Wesley Kirton emphasized the potential of the MoU to benefit micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. WTC Georgetown plans to engage with food and beverage manufacturers in Guyana to raise awareness about the upcoming event in Miami.
Meanwhile, anticipation is building for the opening of Guyana’s first World Trade Center, with expectations of bolstered trade and international connectivity. Robin van Puyenbroeck, Executive Director for Business Development of the World Trade Centre Association, has highlighted the strategic importance of Guyana’s Trade Center as a gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as a vital link between North and South America.
The forthcoming WTC in Georgetown has already attracted considerable interest, as evidenced by recent MoUs signed with Indian, Panamanian, and Canadian WTCs, signaling a growing network of collaboration and opportunities for global engagement.
