Region Eight tourism potential underscored by Minister Walrond

Potaro- Siparuni (Region Eight), is filled with tremendous potential for tourism and business
expansion, and can contribute to government’s drive to bolster the nation’s tourism industry.
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond, expressed the view that Mahdia
as a key player in attaining the administration’s tourism/business goals, since the township gives
direct access to the mining community.  On Tuesday she officially opened the Guyana National
Bureau of Standards’ (GNBS) sub-office in Mahdia. “Many locals and foreigners would relish
the opportunity to experience pork knocking and auxiliary activities,” Walrond said. “This can
be a major selling point for students, and foreigners fascinated about gold production. I see this
as a great opportunity for your tourism aspirations,” she noted.

Walrond pointed out that the town is poised for inclusion in the rapidly expanding tourism
sector, noting that infrastructural work must start now, in preparation for the anticipated travel
surge. “More people are travelling; they want to see more of Guyana and with the transformation
of infrastructure ongoing in our country, there will be much more traffic in this part of the
country,” the minister disclosed. The minister said that government has advertised for proposals
to develop eco-lodges and resorts. It also anticipates proposals for a resort to be established in
Region Eight.
The Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister stressed that it is imperative for Guyanese to
shift from potential to actuality, especially now, since the nation has a supportive government.
Additionally, the minister said that her ministry is also seeking to improve access to the services
of the Small Business Bureau (SBB). “Earlier this month, a team from the Small Business
Bureau spent four days in the region, working with clients to complete applications for
financing….out of that visit, several applications for grants were approved and will be disbursed
shortly,” Walrond asserted. The minister noted that in 2020, only one small business grant was
issued in the region. The ministry intends to conduct more training and receive more applications
in 2022.
Minister Walrond during her visit, met with members of the Region’s Chamber of Commerce
and Mahdia’s private sector, to listen to their concerns with the aim of providing solutions.
Walrond also made a brief stop at Radio Mahdia for an interview with radio announcer, Lesa
Lee. Potaro- Siparuni (Region Eight) is situated in the heart of Guyana, the Region borders
Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) to the north, the regions of Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region
Ten) and East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) to the east, the region of Upper Takutu-Upper
Essequibo (Region Nine) to the south and Brazil to the west.