Erongo Trade Expo important for regional development

FIRST impressions by organisers, exhibitors and local political leaders of this year’s Erongo Trade Expo was that it was a major improvement compared to previous years.

The expo was opened, along with the Wesbank Auto Show, in Walvis Bay on Thursday by Erongo Governor Samuel Nuuyoma.Nuuyoma said the importance of the expo was that it stimulated business development in a region full of major economic sectors like uranium mining, fishing and tourism, complemented by services like a harbour, container terminals, regional land transport corridors and an airport.Due to these developments, there is a demand for housing, jobs, schools and hospitals.’With this bulky package of development opportunities in Erongo, it is indeed essential that events like the Erongo Trade Expo and the Wesbank Auto Show are organised in order to prepare our businesses for the future,’ Nuuyoma said.Of the 110 stalls, with exhibitors from all over Namibia, including many SMEs, a large portion was allocated to Government institutions, political parties, worker unions and parastatals.The best overall exhibitor at this year’s expo went to NamPower, while the ‘Governor’s Trophy’ for the best exhibitor from the region went to Namibia’s Airport Company. The best corporate exhibitor was that of NamPower, while Dune Lizard Craft Market in Walvis Bay got the best SME stall.The criteria by which the stalls were measured included the use of brand; marketing effectiveness; originality of design; accessibility to visitors; friendliness and assistance of staff; product demonstrations; and availability of stock.The expo also provided entertainment and food, as well as games and playgrounds for children.According to Gys Reitz of the Erongo Trade Expo Organising Committee, this year’s event was a big improvement on previous years, and although the number of visitors was not counted, there was good attendance with positive business feedback from the various stalls.’We made it free admission, and so it will be hard to say how many visitors we had. I am confident though that it was an improvement from last year, and the feedback I had until now from stall owners was that good business had been done already,’ he said. ‘We are very happy with the result and are looking forward to next year’s event.’