Overwhelming response to GuyExpo 2000 - extra auditorium going up by Linda Rutherford Guyana Chronicle August 22, 2000 OVERWHELMING response to the biennial GuyExpo trade fair, dubbed the biggest ever in terms of participation this year, has prompted the construction of an auxiliary auditorium at the Sophia National Exhibition Park, Georgetown where the event is traditionally held. Up to mid-morning yesterday, registration was reported at 215, surpassing the initial target figure by 15. And with more still coming in, it is now anticipated that the final figure will exceed 225. "It could be we're topping 225", said coordinator Ms Sattie Sawh. The new auditorium is about half the size of the main one and located northwest of it in what years ago was the area reserved for displaying cattle. Work on the building has gone a good way, "...and with way things are going", Sawh said, "it's gonna be finished by Wednesday". The fair opens the following day. Among government agencies which will be accommodated in this building are the Ministry of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, the Ministry of Human Service and Social Security and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. The processed foods people will also be housed there as will a number of craftspeople who could not get into the original area designated for them. Sectors to be accommodated in the main auditorium include pharmaceuticals, packaging and service-oriented agencies like Iwokrama, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) which will be on hand to advise small manufacturers. Just outside and to the right will be the Guyana National Energy Authority (GNEA) which will demonstrating the myriad things that can be done with solar energy. The media were taken on a grand tour of the exhibition site yesterday and everything seemed to be right on schedule. Booths were being erected everywhere; the Coney Island was being put together on the tarmac in case it rains and just opposite workmen were working feverishly at landscaping and preparing the area designated to house the tourism sector. The Lake Mainstay resort in Essequibo has secured an area all by itself and it is suspected that they are going to recreate the resort - sand beaches, jet-skis, thatch-roofed benabs and all - like they did for the `Main Big Lime' last November. The Amerindian Village, which was erected for the Forestry Exhibition in June, has remained intact and comes in quite handy for this event. The public is being invited to attend the opening ceremony on Thursday, when President Bharrat Jagdeo is expected to make some very important announcements regarding the economic direction of nation. The ceremony is slated to begin at 17:00hrs sharp and the entrance fee of G$200 is to be waived for the occasion, but only between 16:30 - 17:30hrs. A special feature at the opening ceremony will be the reading of a piece of dramatic poetry by a member of the `When las' Movement', formed recently to revive and preserve old cultures. The piece, which is entitled `Mr Bacoo now land at Guyexpo', has to do with the folk spirits - the likes of Ol' Higue, Massacuraman and Moongazer - not being formally invited to participate in the exhibition. After the ceremony, there is to be an evening of traditional dances depicting the various cultural groups in Guyana. There is also to be a different live band each evening. From 19:00 - 21:00hrs on Friday there is to be folk presentations following which the live band will take over and liven things up until midnite. On Saturday and Sunday there will be masquerade, tassa drumming and other local performances during the day but a `big surprise' is in store for the evenings. According to Trade, Tourism and Industry Minister, Mr Geoff DaSilva, overseas buyers and investors have already begun to arrive from places like Canada, Texas, New York and Miami. Those from the Caribbean and the United Kingdom are expected to arrive tomorrow. A choice of 14 exciting packages awaits them for the trip on Saturday to the various tourist destinations Guyana has to offer. GuyExpo's theme this year is `Showcasing Guyana for the New Millennium'. Follow the goings-on in Guyana in Guyana Today