Keetmanshoop’s first expo marred by low turnout

SMEs Compete has expressed disappointment about the poor turnout of visitors at the first Keetmanshoop SME exposition held at the weekend.

However, SMEs Compete founding director Danny Meyer said the low number of visitors at the two-day expo will not deter the firm from using it as the launchpad for an annual market access event.’The importance of such market access event for entrepreneurs in the Karas Region is apparent and provides an opportunity for owners of small firms to promote their products and services,’ Meyer added. Out of the targeted 20 small firms, 17 participated at the event held at the Keetmanshoop Community Centre located between the Tseiblaagte and Krönlein residential areas. ‘Our choice of venue was aimed at attracting established local enterprises to venture beyond the confines of Keetmanshoop’s central business district and simultaneously to give residents of the lokasies a taste of what an expo or trade show is actually all about,’ Meyer remarked. SMEs Compete director Claudine Mouton expressed dismay over the absence of local established firms, State-owned enterprises and public sector officials at the expo to observe the services and products local small firms offer. She added that the stand of Pollination Publishers, a local publisher of educational books, attracted young people. ‘Not only did they enjoy the entertainment, which included a talent contest, but youngsters are our future. Hopefully an entrepreneurship spark was ignited and some will in the fullness of time starting micro enterprises rather than joining the ever-growing ranks of unemployment,’ she added.