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 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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