By Koviao Matuzee
Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair Society has expanded its reach beyond Namibian borders with 25 businesses from Limpopo Province, South Africa to match-make with their Namibian business counterparts, as it thrives to become a global expo.
According to the organizers, both international and local participants can now register, buy tickets, network and showcase their products through a digital web platform found on the trade fair’s official website, launched recently.
Speaking at the stakeholders’ engagement of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF), chairperson of the Ongwediva Trade Fair Society (OATFS) Rebekka Hidulika said the trade fair intended to unlock Namibia’s business opportunities by enhancing cross border participation and business linkages.
She said the businesses from Limpopo province are coming for a match-making session to connect Namibian businesses with their South African counterparts with local businesses on how to collaborate with their neighbour.
Hidulika further said that the Limpopo business groups will assist Namibian manufactures and Namibian service providers with market access to South Africa.
She said OATS’s mandate is not only about business exhibition but “to unlock investment opportunities and expanding market access while strengthening national and regional integration. It is also a platform and catalyst to promote trade business investment opportunities, not only in Namibia, but in the entire SADC region,” Hidulika said.
She said OATF has upgraded its ageing infrastructure, ablution facilities and organizers are currently constructing additional exhibition halls.
In message delivered on behalf by her deputy Jenelly Matundu, minister of inter- national relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said the trade fair remains an important platform for advancing Namibia’s national development priorities.
According to the minister these include areas of trade promotion, industrialisation, investment facilitation, SME development, entrepreneurship, job creation, innovation, value addition and inclusive economic growth.
“Trade fairs provide practical platforms where national policy objectives are translated into business opportunities, market access, partnerships and enterprise growth. As Namibia continues to pursue economic diversification, industrial development and regional integration, platforms such as OATF must continue to be strengthened and supported as vehicles for trade, investment, innovation and inclusive growth,” said Ashipala-Musavyi.
“The Trade Fair also contributes significantly to both the local and national economy through its multiplier effect across sectors such as retail, hospitality, transport, logistics, communication, food services, tourism, creative industries and general services,” she added.
According to Ashipala-Musavyi, the trade fair creates both direct and indirect opportunities for businesses, service providers, vendors, accommodation establishments, transport operators, local producers and emerging entrepreneurs.
“Importantly, the impact of the Trade Fair extends beyond the exhibition period itself through business linkages, networking opportunities, visibility and market exposure.”
Meanwhile, Rodney !Hoab of the Namibia Trade Forum described the trade fair one of the biggest expositions in Southern Africa and advised infrastructural developments such as roads, railway and other logistical points which could ultimately lead to the relaunching of a national airline.
