Hilma Hashange
OMUTHIYA – In a bid to promote Omuthiya and boost its economic activities, the Omuthiya Town Council will host the second Omuthiya Business Expo at the New Open Market Centre from 28 October to 3November 2024.
The expo is expected to provide a platform for local businesses as well as small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to showcase their brands, network with potential clients, as well as display the town’s cultural diversity and investment opportunities for economic growth. Piet Andreki, the council’s economic development and tourism officer said, a fundraising gala dinner was hosted in early October, where an amount of N$310 000 was raised to help with the preparations of the event.
“During the gala dinner, RANI Group was the main sponsor with N$55 000, followed by ALV Consulting Engineers at N$30 000, while Clevima Consulting Engineers and Afri-Consulting Engineers chipped in with N$20 000 each. The council had made a budget provision of N$700 000 to host this year’s edition. MTC also pledged support towards the hosting of the event,” said Andreki. He highlighted the fact that the expo will be hosted at a new venue that is next to the main road to attract more visitors.
“As part of marketing the town and giving an opportunity and creating a platform for traders to showcase their products, the council decided on a venue where the new open market was constructed, which will create awareness of the new trading area in town so that all visitors will know where to stop in future, as Omuthiya is regarded as a trading area,” he noted.
Exhibitors range from SMEs, corporate, agricultural, educational institutions, food and beverages, clothing as well as a kiddies’ corner.
Andreki said the council will accommodate vendors of different wares.
Various other activities such as musical performances and an agricultural show are lined up during the event, which, will act as an anchor for a larger group of spectators and visitors. The weeklong event also consists of a sports tournament during the weekend of 01 to 03 November 2024, with limited stalls to be set up at the stadium during the weekend.
The official opening ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 October with the expo patron, King Omukwaniilwa Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo of Ondonga, officiating.
The theme for this year’s expo is ‘Sustainable tourism and agriculture, a tool to harness development and economic enfranchisement’
Entry charges have been set at N$20 for adults and N$10 for children.
*Hilma Hashange is an information officer for the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, based in the Oshikoto region.