The four-day event, which kicks off next Wednesday, will have nearly 80 exhibitors.

"It will be bigger and better than 2007," organiser Roger Kambatuku told SMEs Compete, a company that assists the small and medium business sector, including the organisation of trade fairs.

Kambatuku heads the Okakarara Trade Fair Society's organising committee for this year's Okakarara Trade Fair, which will be opened by Trade and Industry Minister Hage Geingob next Friday.

Other speakers include the event patron, Vekuii Rukoro, who heads First National Bank Holdings, Okakarara Mayor Ernst Katjiku and Regional Councillor Vetaruhe Kandorozu.

After the success of the first show last year, the organising committee decided to make it an annual event.

Two marquees will be erected at the Okakarara Community Cultural Centre, which was built a few years ago with funding from Germany, to accommodate the increased number of exhibitors, as the existing hall is fully booked.

Car dealers will showcase their latest models.

"Other exhibitors engaged in the selling of agricultural equipment and vehicles will be placed around the fairground on open stands," said Kambatuku.

According to Regional Councillor Kandorozu, sponsorships came from about 15 institutions and companies totalling about N$300 000.

"This amount will more or less cover our expenses.

The biggest sponsors are the Trade and Industry Ministry with N$50 000, Standard Bank with N$26 000 and First National Bank, which provided N$25 000," Kandorozu told The Namibian.

"A highlight will be the signing of a five-year sponsorship with Meatco during the trade fair," Kandorozu added.

The radio department of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) sponsors free airtime for the broadcasts throughout the event, while Telecom Namibia sponsors the transmission line costs.

"Since Okakarara is in an rural area, agriculture is important and so far about 150 head of cattle and small livestock will be exhibited," Kandorozu said.

"We however expect more last-minute registrations, so the number of animals might go beyond 200."

In order to cope with increased entries, additional pens have been erected for livestock.

"We want to grow the Okakarara Trade Fair into a big event over the next few years with the industrial and agricultural components the two strong foundations," Kandorozu said.

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