Tsumeb
The entry date for exhibitors to register their participation in the 14th annual Copper Festival in Tsumeb will open mid-next month. The closing date is July 22.
Exhibitors are strongly urged to bring products that are creative and not just buy products from China Town to come and sell at the festival.
This was the message of the festival chairperson, Julius Gaeseb, who stressed that exhibitors will see an increase in registration fees for this year’s event.
“The increase was prompted by inflation, thus we needed to cover up the gap as prices for everything have gone up,” explained Gaeseb.
“We want people who are innovative, showcasing things that they produced themselves instead of going to China Town to buy products to come and sell. That’s why we have deliberately reduced the stalls for food and beverages, because this should be an event where people share business ideas as well as learn from each other, instead of just eating and drinking. This way they add value to their products because they will learn new things,” stated Gaeseb.
Gaeseb said “we have created an SMEs development competition programme whereby SMEs with innovative products can win – that way we encourage them to be innovative and creative, thus adding value to their products. At the same time we are injecting cash in their business to enhance themselves.”
This year’s event is styled by the organizers to be exceptional as they have increased the number of stalls to diversify the festival and present an opportunity to a greater number of people willing to partake.
“Our focus each year is to expand avenues for our SMEs, as this is in line with Vision 2030 in terms of value addition. We want to have SMEs that come and sell things that they have innovated themselves. Thus we increased the number of stalls from 91 to 120 to allow more exhibitors, locally and internationally, to have the opportunity to showcase their products,” he noted.
The event is regarded as a premier marketing tool of Tsumeb on the country’s socio-economic calendar and has really helped revamp the economic condition of the town, as well as presented a conducive environment for SMEs that have now grown into larger enterprises.
This year’s stand prices are as follows: inside the white tent it will cost N$6 000, while outside it will be N$4 500; industrials are priced at N$4 000, SME stalls N$1 000 and kiddie’s stalls for jumping castles and games at N$1 000.
Those intending to sell food and beverages will be vetted through tendering, thus they are urged to obtain a tender document for a fee of N$100, while the reserve price is N$400.
Major sponsors of the event are Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb, MTC and Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.