Nyamu who was speaking at the official opening of the 5th annual Ongwediva Trade Fair said: "Thus, to ensure that the Ongwediva Trade Fair effectively carries out its legitimate role of empowering Small and Medium Enterprises to find access for their products in international markets, we as a country need to further invest in this trade fair to bring its administration and organisation on a level at par with similar events of international nature."

Nyamu said Government had created an enabling environment, which is conducive to the flow of trade and investment by entering into regional and international agreements such as the Southern Africa Development Community trade protocol, the revised Southern African Customs Union, the World Trade Organisation and a myriad of bilateral trade and investment agreements.

Therefore he urged Namibians to work hard on the marketing campaign that local is excellent and should thus ensure that the "Made in Namibia" products are consumed in each and every household and in each and every office across the country.

"We cannot except our SMEs to penetrate regional and international markets if in our local markets we do not support their products," he said.

In addition, Nyamu noted that the current situation whereby the channels of distribution of products in Namibia are not designed for the advancement of the local SMEs sector is totally unacceptable and needs to be addressed.

"This situation is in sharp conflict with the government's policy on manufacturing and industrialisation of the country's economy, and therefore has to be addressed in the near future," he told the gathering.

The official opening of the trade was attended by cabinet ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, the public and exhibitors.

-Nampa

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