Punta Gorda Hosts Expo for Women Entrepreneurs

Women entrepreneurs take the spotlight this weekend in Punta Gorda. More than thirty‑five businesswomen from across southern Belize will showcase their products and services at the second annual Punta Gorda Women in Business Expo, happening tomorrow at Central Park. Organized by the Punta Gorda Town Council and its partners, the expo gives women a platform to grow their businesses, connect with customers, and build strong professional networks. Town Councilor Indira Coleman says the event highlights women’s growing role in the local economy, while Outstanding Young Woman Awardee Kallij Pop calls it a powerful opportunity for inspiration and empowerment. We spoke with both women about what to expect and why this expo matters for the community.

 

Indira Coleman, Town Councilor, Punta Gorda

“The core of our work through the Punta Gorda Town Council and our partner groups is economic empowerment. We focus on bridging gap for women, especially in tourism, small business and diaspora relations to ensure that they have the tools to scale. But more than that, we are a support system. We believe that when you empower a woman in Toledo, you uplift the entire district. This year is massive. This is our second annual Women Business Expo. We have over thirty-five diverse participants showcasing everything from the intricate handwoven hammocks of Ron Dai Handmade Harmony to cultural mastery of Iseni projects. So it’s a full spectrum of Belizean innovation. We’ll be at the Central Park on Saturday, March 28th from eight a.m. to five pm. Admission is free. The energy is high and the talent is unmatched. So we’re asking you to come out and support women who are building the new Belize.”

 

Kallij Pop, Outstand Young Woman Awardee

“ I expect to see a lot of strong and inspirational women who have proved that we can build successful lives right here in our home district. I am a guest speaker for the event, and I plan to share a little bit about my story and what it took to get me here. So I think that is something that you should be excited to see and I believe that it’s an event that women especially and young girls should attend so they can learn more, be inspired, and see what it’s like.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: