By William J. Mbangula OSHAKATI More than a hundred potential exhibitors have confirmed their participation in the Ondangwa Annual Trade Fair scheduled for the end of this month. The Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Dr Nickey Iyambo, is expected to launch the first ever Ondangwa Annual Trade Fair next Saturday. And the actual event is due April 26-30, which will be officially opened by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, on behalf of President Hifikepunye Pohamba on Friday April 28. The Manager of Local Economic Development and Tourism at the Ondangwa Town Council Ismael Namugongo confirmed this in an interview with New Era. So far the ministries of Mines and Energy and Lands and Resettlement, through its project Namrep are the only two government institutions that have confirmed participation. From the side of financial institutions Bank Windhoek and Nammic have already booked their stands. Some of the small exhibitors include Ohandje Artist Co-operative (Ondangwa), Oruuano Artist (Olukonda), African Art and Toys (Rundu), Mush Art and Craft (Windhoek), J&C Flourist and Craft (Ondangwa), CHE Jewellery (Windhoek), Helen African Attire (Ondangwa), Hair and Beauty Shop (Windhoek), Nicris Printing & Design (Windhoek), One cell Namibia (which has booked directly from South Africa), Electro Amwele, Lactus Agency, Omautiro Enterprise (Windhoek), Oshana Pharmacy (Ondangwa) and the joint Consultative Council(JCC). So far, there is no foreign exhibitor who has confirmed participation but inquiries were received from the DRC and Zimbabwe. The trade fair will be held at the Eudafano Women Cooperative Centre near Ondangwa Airport as a temporary measure while the land allocated by the council for future trade fair activities is being developed. The present trade fair ground has a capacity of 320 stalls plus various open spaces for big exhibitors. About 15 farmers, many of them members of the Mangetti Farmers Association, have confirmed their interest to auction and exhibit their cattle, goats, sheep and other animals. It is expected that bookings are to increase as the grand day draws close, more especially after Saturday’s launch.