Locally-made products now on sale on GMSA-sponsored website
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The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has revamped a website where locally-processed agricultural products and other items are on sale.
The UncappeD Marketplace portal also facilitates free delivery of purchased products nationwide.
At least 30 businesses are selling online. “The initiative marks a major step in empowering local producers to scale their operations and connect directly with consumers nationwide,” GMSA communications officer, Nikeshia Castello told a recently-held awards ceremony.
The initiative is as a result of a memorandum of understanding between the GMSA and the International Trade Centre (ITC) under a European Union-funded project that aims to strengthen nutritious foods, food security and sustainable value chains in the Caribbean.
GMSA Executive Member, Ramsay Ali said the website was relaunched at the right time and he appealed to Guyanese to support the entrepreneurs. “These are small businesses that need our support. There is convenient shopping and they have come a long way,” he said. Mr Ali said, for instance, the labelling and packaging have improved from where they were 10 years ago.
Mr Ali said soon an app would be developed. Plans are also underway to facilitate payments by Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) and bank transfers.
GMSA President Rafeek Khan also sounded a call for Guyanese to buy local because the quality and standards are improving. “Being a patriotic investor is one thing. As Guyanese, we invest in Guyana but being patriotic consumers, meaning ‘buy local’, support your local brands, embrace them. We’re getting better and I encourage you strongly because without local manufacturing, we’re going nowhere,” he said.
Mr Khan, meanwhile, said the 62-year-old GMSA would be investing GY$250 million in establishing a business incubator for small, medium and large companies. “We want to have our own business incubator and not just waiting on the government to do it. I believe the private sector can do it as well,” he said.
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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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