Producers exhibition opens at Princess
While locally made products no longer attract the stigma of inferiority that plagued the era of import substitution, the challenges facing Belizean producers–particularly in today’s global economy–are no less daunting. This weekend the public will get a chance to see how we’re doing–as the annual exhibition known as BelPro ConEx takes off at the Princess.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
From perfume to toilet paper… over sixty-five producers have set up shop at the Princess Hotel to display products and services that bear the “Made in Belize” label.
Luz Hunter, Coordinator, BelPro ConEx 2003
“It’s meant to showcase Belizeans producers of both products and goods and services. So what you have here are people that are either small producers of, you name it… we have Traveller’s producing liquors, we have services, B.E.L., we have Running W, they produce different meat products.”
But apart from the usual fare, Hunter says visitors to this weekend’s exhibition will also be introduced to new things.
Luz Hunter
“There’s a lot of new products, there’s a lot of exciting products here right now. Some of our previous exhibitors with new products and new exhibitors also launching products. You can come in here and find just about anything represented here.”
While visitors will be checking out the products and services on display, proprietors and people in top management at many of the companies will be engaged in discussions on a variety of topics.
Luz Hunter
“We have seminars going on all day tomorrow. There’ll be seminars on costing and pricing your products. Employment search, what to look for in an employee, how to find a job and keep it, that’s all in one. We also have occupational safety and health, fiscal incentives, how to apply for a loan and also how to prepare to apply for a loan.”
And organizers say those who come to the Princess Hotel on Saturday and Sunday will not need to apply for a loan as discounts and bargains will be plentiful this weekend. Patrick Jones, for News 5.
