President backs Ondangwa expo

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has pledged N$10 000 towards the upcoming Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition, indicating the government’s commitment to local trade and enterprise.

This was revealed by vice president Lucia Witbooi during a fundraising gala dinner held at Ondangwa on Saturday.

A total of about N$885 000 was pledged by local businesses and individuals to support the upcoming event, which is scheduled to take place from 24 April to 2 May under the theme ‘Connecting Local Trade to the World’.

Witbooi at the event said it is an investment in the country’s economic future.

“This initiative is a contributing factor to the creation of a stronger and more prosperous economy for all Namibians,” she said.

The vice president said platforms such as the exhibition play a crucial role in the empowerment of local businesses.

“This exhibition empowers local enterprises, particularly in areas such as job creation and community development, as Namibia continues its industrialisation journey,” Witbooi said.

Apart from the exhibition, the bigger picture is the development of the Ondangwa Trade and Exhibition Centre into a world-class convention and events destination, she said.

“This centre will be able to accommodate large-scale conferences, business meetings, and regional and international events, thus promoting economic activities throughout the calendar year and not just during the exhibition period.

“I therefore encourage all corporate entities, development partners, and individual stakeholders to invest in this initiative.”

Ondangwa mayor Mweneni Auala said the exhibition is more than just a business event.

“It is a platform for opportunity, innovation, networking, and partnerships. It brings businesses and entrepreneurs together and reinforces our shared vision for development for our people and the nation at large,” she said.

Local businessman Josua Haimbondi of Emirates Group Namibia called for the improvement of infrastructure at the town and the need for the protection of Namibian-owned businesses.

The country requires procurement policies that recognise and differentiate between Namibian-owned companies and those that are merely registered in Namibia, Haimbondi said.

“Government contracts below N$100 million should be reserved for Namibian-owned companies. This would ensure that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have genuine access to government procurement opportunities,” he said.

In addition, Haimbondi suggested that government institutions such as Agra Limited and the Roads Contractor Company should be left to undertake large projects, while smaller projects such as classrooms, sport fields, clinics, and affordable housing should be reserved for SMEs.

“SMEs are fully capable – we just need to give them a chance,” Haimbondi said.

Another concern Haimbondi expressed is that projects that are given to Namibian contractors are sometimes subcontracted to foreign companies, which could be detrimental to Namibian businesses.

“Our entrepreneurs deserve support to scale their businesses and contribute meaningfully to the national economy,” he said.

The Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition is one of the biggest business events in northern Namibia, attracting entrepreneurs, exhibitors, and investors.

It aims to strengthen trade relationships and ensure that Namibian businesses are able to compete in regional and international markets.

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