Small firms exhibit at big expo

TWELVE small firms will be showcasing their goods and services at the Namibia Tourism Expo 2009 taking place in Windhoek from May 27 to 30.

In an arrangement between the event organiser, Democratic Media Holdings (DMH), and SMEs Compete, stands have been set aside to accommodate emerging enterprises engaged in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
SMEs Compete is a firm that supports income growth and job creation in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.
The partnership between DMH and SMEs Compete is in its fourth year, having started with the 2006 tourism exhibition.
With the growth of the expo over the years, the number of stands set aside to accommodate new entrants has also risen and stood at ten last year.
SMEs exhibiting at this year’s expo include two Ongwediva-based firms, Etuna Guest House & Conference Centre and Ongwediva Information Centre.
The centre provides tours as far north as Ruacana and southwards to Etosha, covering a part of Namibia not often visited by tourists.
Dani’s Küche, an Otjiwarongo firm that produces a range of cheeses, and a wine producer from Omaruru, the Kristal Kellerei, will also be at the Expo.
They will be joined by two art and craft producers, one from Tsumkwe and the other from Ondangwa.
For the first time SMEs from Rosh Pinah and surrounding areas will be represented at Namibia’s top tourist expo.
Firms there have created the Nama Padloper Route, which promotes tourism in the southwestern part of Namibia and markets accommodation establishments, eateries and tour operators in the area.
In a further co-operation between SMEs Compete and DMH, emerging artists will also have an opportunity to showcase their talents at the expo.
Artists like Werner Mouton, Elia Shiwoohamba, Maren Malan, Morné Venter and Dalene Jordan, who exhibited at last year’s exposition, will be joined by newcomers.
Under an initiative branded Art 4 U, eight other emerging artists will be exhibiting a range of oils and watercolours.