Local innovation key part of UncappeD; expo goes to US in 2026
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The 2025 edition of the UncappeD Marketplace got underway on Saturday at the Guyana National Stadium, bringing together over 100 local entrepreneurs.
The event is hosted annually by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and aims to spotlight the wide array of products and services offered by Guyana’s small and medium agro-processors.
Head of the GMSA, Ramsay Ali told the News Room that talks are underway to take the exhibition to the United States in March 2026.
“We are looking at March of next year to have our first event in the US, the US Embassy is supporting it. There is going to be limit, visa requirements and all that but once you qualify we can accommodate as much as we can,” Ali revealed.
UncappeD was launched a decade ago and this year’s two-day event features both veteran and first-time exhibitors.
“We started this event about 10 years ago, and the model we created was the people who come here to exhibit their products they don’t pay for anything.
“If you look at some of the businesses from 10 years ago, you can see the improvements in packaging, quality and all that,” Ali said.
Lisa Gibson, a returning participant, showcased her range of locally made hair and skincare products, including handmade soaps, botanical body oils, and batana-based products.
“It is a great way for Guyanese to showcase their products. A lot of persons get to know you and the products you manufacture. Guyana has a lot of great products,” Gibson told the News Room.
Gibson added that while her products are already available in the Guyana Shop, Massy Supermarkets and in Berbice, she hopes to expand to Essequibo and other parts of the country.
Mark Singh of Maliyah’s Kitchen, a third-time exhibitor, proudly displayed authentic Guyanese snacks such as milk powder fudge, salsev or chicken foot, matai and black cake.
“It’s a privilege to be here, to showcase your products and meet other suppliers, some of whom you can buy from,” Singh said.
He told the News Room that he is in talks with Antigua and Barbados to export his salsev and matai.
Dawn Skepmire of Dawndelion Holistic Variety Store is an herbal doctor and is a veteran UncappeD exhibitor.
“It is a blessing. People now know my product works, they come, and life has been good,” she said.
Skepmire has been practicing herbal medicine in Guyana for the past eight years.
“I make all my products naturally from scratch, [such as] pain ointments, medicine for diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension, and nourishing options like seamoss and sarsaparilla,” Skepmire revealed.
Denise of Denise’s Institute of Catering introduced a unique avocado dip this year along with her coconut delight, a creamy dessert made from coconut jelly.
After she retired from teaching, Denise began experimenting with various products, including Awara, Mango, and Watermelon wines. She also does jams and jellies with “whatever fruit is available.”
Asked where she gets her ideas, Denise said: “I does just sit down and imagine, like you lie down, get a dream, wake up and try it out.”
While she has participated in two UncappeD exhibitions, Natasha Blake made it this year with her own business, Natasha’s Own Unique Creations and Style.
“I mostly cater to ladies with skin conditions. I know it’s hard to get rid of darkness between the legs, underarms, and neck, so I thought – why not create a product that can actually help women?” she told the News Room.
Her products include locally made body scrubs, body butter, soaps, and hair products.
Returning for the third year is Steven Jones of Ever Evolving, with a display of uniquely named wines: Buss Crutch, Aunty and Uncle Desmond, and Catch a Fine Wine.
“They are all local products, and being a patriot, I embarked on producing local cuisine for Guyana,” Jones said.
His wines are made from local forest barks. Jones revealed that participation in UncappeD has helped expand his customer base and business profile.
Designer El Faatima Alexander, who operates out of La Penitence Market, showcased her fiber and fabric creations, including earrings, purses, outfits, and custom designs.
“If you have any design, I can bring your ideas to life,” Alexander said. Alexander has been in the fashion industry for nine years and believes platforms like UncappeD play a crucial role in giving creators like herself visibility.
Among the newest innovations at this year’s marketplace is Ashdell’s pepperpot gravy, an instant meal solution that allows customers to add their preferred meat simply.
“Customers have been asking for a variety of meat, so in response, we created the pepperpot gravy itself,” Ashdell Parris explained to the News Room.
Ashdell’s also specialises in other instant meals like porridge and soup.
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PRESS RELEASE: GMSA Elects New Board of Directors for 2025/2026
Georgetown, Guyana, May 8, 2025: The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) is delighted to announce the successful election of its new Board of Directors for the term 2025/2026. The association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), conducted in two parts, saw the election of the President and the appointment of key leadership positions within the organization. On April 4, 2025, thirteen board directors were elected through an electronic voting process by members who attended in-person. On May 7, 2025, the President, three Vice-Presidents and Treasurer were elected. The remaining members were elected to form the Board of Directors inclusive of Chairpersons of the various Sub-Sectors.
Rafeek Khan, Managing Director of Durable Wood Products, was elected as President of the Association. He will be supported by Ramsay Ali, CEO of Sterling Products Inc.; Vasudeo Singh, Group Finance Director & Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Demerara Distillers Ltd. as Second Vice President and Treasurer; and Roseann Bulkan, Manager of Bulkan Timber Works Inc. as Third Vice President. This diverse team and the expertise of the newly elected directors promises a vibrant and inclusive governance framework for the upcoming year.
Rafeek Khan is the founder and managing director of Durable Wood Products Inc. and DuraVilla Homes. He is a business developer with over 20 years’ experience in the timber industry involving sawmilling and manufacturing of building products used primarily for industrial residential construction.
Being an advocate for industry development in Guyana, Rafeek has been collaborating with government and key stakeholders, to support further growth and advancement for manufacturing in various sectors of the economy. Rafeek served as the President of the GMSA in 2022/2023, Vice-President of the GMSA from 2023/2024 and is Vice-Chairman of Private Sector Commission (PSC).
The 2025/2026 Board Members are as follows: –
- Durable Wood Products – Rafeek Khan, President of GMSA
- Sterling Products Ltd. – Ramsay Ali, First Vice-President, Chairperson of the Agro-Processing Sub-Sector
- Demerara Distillers Limited – Vasudeo Singh, Second Vice-President & Treasurer
- Bulkan Timber Works Inc. – Roseann Bulkan – Third Vice President & Chairperson of the Extractive Industries Sub-Sector
- Corriea & Corriea Ltd. – Dr. Marie Correia, Chairperson of the Construction & Engineering Sub-Sector
- Keen360 Inc. – Mr. Zahid Khan, Chairman of the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Sub-Sector
- EICCIO Advisers – Theon Alleyne, Chairperson of Services Sub-Sector
- Comfort Sleep Inc. – Dennis Charran, Chairperson of the Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Sub-Sector
- DENMOR Garment Manufacturers Inc. – Upasna Mudlier, Chairman of Textiles & Sewn Goods Sub-Sector
- Rid-O-Pes – Timoty Tucker, Chairman of the Trade, Investment& Legal Committee, Board Member
- Banks DIH Limited – David Carto, Board Member
- Brass Aluminum & Cast Iron Foundry (B.A.C.I.F) – Peter Pompey, Board Member
- Environmental Management Consultants – Malisa Nokta, Board Member
- Edward B. Beharry & Company Limited – Raymond Ramsaroop, Board Member
- UMAMI Inc. – Chris Persaud, Board Member
- Barama Company Limited – Mohindra Chand, Board Member
- Vista Holdings Inc. – Orson Ferguson, Board Member
- Amaya Milk Company Guyana Inc. – Omkaar Sharma, Board Member
- New GPC Inc. – Keshwar Singh, Board Member
- Kanoo (Guyana) Inc. – Chet Bowling, Board Member
- National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) – Vishal Lalbachan, Board Member
The new Board of Directors is poised to build upon past achievements and set a strategic direction for continued excellence in serving the interests of Guyana’s manufacturing and services sectors.
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View the Board of Directors 2025/2026
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Press Release: GMSA Condemns Venezuelan Naval Threats in Guyanese Waters
Georgetown, Guyana, March 1, 2025: The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) strongly condemns the unlawful incursion by Venezuelan naval vessels into Guyanese maritime territory, threatening the ExxonMobil’s Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) unit operating within the internationally recognized Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Guyana.
This action by Venezuela represents a direct violation of international law, which all states are required to uphold, and threatens not only Guyana’s territorial sovereignty but also the stability and economic security of our region. The GMSA stands in full solidarity with the Government of Guyana and supports all diplomatic and legal measures to ensure that our country’s rights are upheld under the 1899 Arbitral Award and the ongoing proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Guyana has experienced significant growth driven by the stability and security that our nation has upheld. This unwarranted act of aggression threatens the economic progress of our business community, jeopardizes multinational interests and the broader investor confidence.
We remain steadfast in our advocacy for peace, stability, and regional cooperation and urge all stakeholders to unequivocally condemn Venezuela’s reckless provocations. A diplomatic resolution must be pursued, but the onus remains on Venezuela to respect international law and uphold mutual respect.
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Press Release: GMSA Welcomes Provisions in 2025 National Budget
Georgetown, Guyana, January 23, 2025: The Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA) is pleased to acknowledge the new measures introduced in the 2025 National Budget, which promise to bring substantial benefits to employees and businesses alike. These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to addressing key concerns within the manufacturing and services sectors. The manufacturing sector saw an expansion of 13.5% in 2024, driven primarily by ‘other manufacturing’. This growth signifies a strategic shift from reliance on traditional manufacturing sectors such as rice and sugar towards a broader manufacturing base such as non-metallic and fabricated metal products, beverages and processed food.
The services sector, which remains a critical pillar of Guyana’s GDP, also experienced notable growth, expanding by 7.4% in 2024. The GMSA recognises that the services sector plays a vital role in providing essential support to the manufacturing industry and driving overall economic growth.
Key Highlights from Budget 2025:
Several key initiatives announced in Budget 2025 are poised to significantly benefit the private sector.
A. Labour, People, and Quality of Life:
- Income Tax Adjustments: The increase in the income tax threshold to $130,000 per month and the reduction in personal income tax rates from 28% to 25% and 40% to 35% are expected to provide much-needed financial relief to the working population, making more disposable income available.
- Tax Relief on Overtime Income: The introduction of a non-taxable allowance for the first $50,000 earned from overtime work and second jobs, will incentivize the earnings of workers who work additional hours and jobs. This will be beneficial to local manufacturers, alleviating labour shortages and meeting the growing demand in both the manufacturing and services industries.
The GMSA advocated for these measures for some time, and we are pleased to see our recommendations implemented.
- Free University and Technical & Vocational Education: With Guyana’s expanding labour market, the government’s commitment to offering free university education and technical training aligns with the GMSA’s vision of ensuring a skilled and educated workforce. The GMSA also advocates for greater emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) fields, which include disciplines crucial for the country’s long-term development.
B. Energy Interventions:
- Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project: The development of an additional power plant under the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) project aims to provide additional and affordable power supply for businesses and consumers. This will catalyse the full potential of the manufacturing sector by providing more affordable and reliable energy for production.
- Removal of VAT on Backup Generators: The removal of VAT on backup generators will offer immediate relief to small businesses struggling with the challenges of the current electricity distribution.
C. Agro-Processing:
The GMSA advocated for several measures aimed at supporting agro-processing, which were included in Budget 2025:
- Removal of VAT on Agricultural Machinery: This will reduce costs for the agro-processing sector, encouraging investment in modern machinery that will improve efficiency and productivity.
- Removal of VAT on Automated Poultry Pens and Veterinary Supplies: This measure will enhance the capacity of the poultry industry by improving efficiency and addressing ongoing challenges in livestock health, thereby boosting local production and reducing dependency on imports.
GMSA’s Vision for Continued Growth
The GMSA is committed to collaborating with the government on policies that will positively impact the manufacturing sector. The association is hopeful that further initiatives will be considered to drive continued growth:
- Expansion of the Zero-Rated List: The GMSA proposes expanding the zero-rated supplies to include more competitive locally made products, such as chowmein and vermicelli, which will stimulate local consumption and support domestic manufacturers.
- Corporate Tax Adjustment: The GMSA urges the government to consider adjustments to corporate tax rates to further enhance the competitiveness of Guyanese businesses.
- SME Support for Market Development: The establishment of a dedicated budget for SMEs in market development and exhibition will help local businesses access international markets and grow their reach.
As the country’s population continues to grow, driven by an influx of foreign nationals, local consumption has increased significantly due to the rising demand from a diverse population. This trend is encouraging for businesses, as it signals demand and new opportunities for growth, fostering a favourable environment for business expansion and profitability.
The GMSA remains committed to collaborating with the government to ensure that policies continue to support the manufacturing and services sectors and that Guyana’s private sector remains competitive, resilient, and poised for success in the years to come.
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More Guyanese need cybersecurity, AI training – PM
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Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips believes that more Guyanese should be trained in cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help protect themselves and the country from emerging threats.
The Prime Minister, who is performing the duties of President, spoke at a technology conference sponsored by DynamIQ on Thursday.
“We must prioritise education and skill training in the fields of cybersecurity and AI so that our people are not only consumers of technology but also creators and innovators in this space,” the Prime Minister posited.
The conference was organised by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) in collaboration with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI). It was held at the Pegasus Hotel, Corporate Suites in Kingston, Georgetown.
The Prime Minister said such conferences are crucial because they facilitate much-needed discussions on new developments. In this case, he said the focus on technological advancements and the need for cybersecurity solutions are of national importance.
And he told the gathering that the government is focused on technological developments locally but it is not unaware of the need to beef up cybersecurity to protect against threats to privacy, economic stability, and national security.
Other stakeholders agreed that there should be a much greater focus on cybersecurity in Guyana.
DynamIQ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Akiel Ghany contended that cybersecurity solutions should not be an afterthought. Rather, he said, these solutions should be an integral part of any organisation’s work.
And he believes that DynamIQ, a new joint venture between ENet, Guyana’s only locally-owned telecommunications provider, and Memory Bank Computers, is a company capable of providing the solutions needed.
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