Hon. Collin Croal, M.P, Minister, Ministry of Housing and Water
Hi Everyone,
I am delighted to welcome you to this year’s International Building Expo!
The housing sector is an important driver of our country’s economy, poverty reduction and development. It is rapidly changing the face of our country and the circumstances of our people. Housing construction stimulates employment and galvanizes business activities. This is why our government is investing some seventy-eight billion dollars this year to escalate the establishment and upgrade of housing schemes and the construction of more houses catering for all income categories.
We believe that every Guyanese has a right to safe, resilient and affordable housing, and we have gone further by providing subsidised housing through our houselot allocation programme – any Guyanese 12 years or older can apply for a houselot to build their first home. In 2020, we announced our intention to allocate fifty thousand houselots by 2025. I can confidently report that with a little over a year left, we are well on track to realise this achievement.
International Building Expo 2024 will give us another opportunity to continue to explore the innovations that are occurring within the housing and construction industry. This year’s theme, “Building on the Foundation of Sustainability and Unity” speaks to our commitment to finding more sustainable and climate friendly options in housing and construction.
Last year, we saw approximately four hundred and twenty local and international exhibitors from the Caribbean, Middle East, USA, Canada and the UK. Additionally, we welcomed visitors from Panama, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Africa. We were introduced to innovative products and technology such as 3D printed houses, eco-friendly building materials, solar technology, vinyl sheet piling which was used on the four-lane highway, and recycled houses.
These are testimony to the dynamism and appetite that exist within the industry, and I am excited to see the new products our exhibitors, investors and partners will have on show for us.
From August 8 to 1, 2024, we will gather in a space that allows for the exchange of valuable information, interaction and experience among potential and existing homeowners, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders. You can visit www.buildingexpo.g or call the Secretariat for more details.
Our officers will be happy to provide any information you may need to participate as an exhibitor or visitor. I cannot wait to meet you all at this exciting event as together we explore International Building Expo 2024!
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Hon. Susan M. Rodrigues, M.P, Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water
The International Building Expo 2024 is back, and this time we are shaking things up under the theme “Building on the Foundation of Sustainability and Unity”. I am delighted to welcome such a remarkable gathering of professionals, enthusiasts, and stakeholders all united by a shared vision of sustainability and innovation in our built environment.
In keeping with our theme, this Expo is designed to ensure a smooth flow, highlighting sustainable, environmentally friendly concepts, all aimed at improving the experience of our visitors and exhibitors.
We are thrilled to provide a wide range of exhibitors that highlight the most recent developments in affordable,low-carbon building techniques and solutions to help you with any construction project. I urge all of our visitors to engage with the exhibitors who are happy to offer their expert advice and services.
The International Building Expo is renowned for providing a platform for entrepreneurs to launch a new business, expand and showcase existing businesses, and offer unmatched opportunities to network among industry professionals.
As is customary, our Dream Realised Land Allocation and Title Distribution programme, will be a central feature of the expo. Thousands of Guyanese will receive house lots and certificates of titles over two days of the expo, joining the already 34,000 recipients of house lots ni the past three years.
In addition to this, Silica City will once again take center stage, as Guyana’s premier sustainable, low-carbon, climate-resilient city. With its potential to become the nation’s most desired location for contemporary, urban lifestyle, Silica City will be a demonstration of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s vision of a development approach toward a sustainable and resilient future.
On behalf of the team at the Ministry of Housing and Water and Central Planning and Housing Water, I wish to thank our exhibitors, sponsors, and visitors for your dedication and support to our Expo over the years. Your participation is crucial in making this event a success and in advancing our collective goal of sustainable development.
I wish you all a successful Expo!