SWAKOPMUND – The Discover Namibia Intra Africa MSME & Township Economy Expo promises to be a platform for fostering economic growth, collaboration and development in Namibia and across Africa.
This highly anticipated expo, scheduled to start today and conclude on Saturday, brings together a diverse array of participants, including MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and township businesses, with the aim of empowering and showcasing their entrepreneurial endeavours.
The event, organised by the Africa Economic Leadership Council (AELC) and the Afrika Tourism Group, is a continuation of the council’s mission to boost township and rural economies.
According to AELC founder, Heinrich Hafeni, the expo is designed to facilitate meaningful interactions, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities among participants, as it serves as a catalyst for promoting intra-Africa trade and highlighting the importance of MSMEs and township businesses in driving economic progress.
“Financial institutions, SMEs and international businesses that want to foster relations with Namibia are expected to showcase their products and services as from Thursday. We are currently busy with the final stages to be ready for the official opening on Thursday,” Hafeni said yesterday.
As an expo participant, the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) will once again showcase Namibia and its tourist attractions.
NTB strives to market Namibia as a world-renowned destination and hopes the country becomes a leader in tourism growth and GDP contribution in Africa.
“Our mission is to market and develop tourism to and within Namibia that exceeds our visitors’ expectations, delivers value to our stakeholders, improves living standard and sustains the cultural values and ways of life of our people, and enables broad base participation of Namibians in the tourism industry, NTB stated.
Tourism
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), the country’s lead investment promotion agency, will promote its services to national and international exhibitors to foster sound business relations.
The NIPDB is mandated to promote and facilitate investment by foreign and Namibian investors and coordinate MSMEs activities across all levels of the economy to contribute to economic development and job creation.
“We are responsible for investment promotion and development as well as MSME coordination. Our aim is to make Namibia the investment destination of choice by improving the ease of doing business here, starting with eliminating red tape and driving policy reforms,” NIPDB states.
Exhibitors
For expo visitors interested in learning more about organic products and healthcare products, the Dynapharm stall is expected to be an interesting one to visit. The company, established in 2009, produces various products beneficial for the entire family.
“We were established to help create and share opportunities that improve the lives and health of every person through marketing products. We have a wide range of products – from cosmetics, home care, and nutraceutical as well as agricultural products. The Dynapharm Group of Manufacturers has ten different companies under its umbrella and has set its sights on the distribution of organic products.
If you are interested in becoming part of the medical sector, the I-Care Health Institute would be able to educate you more on the wide range of academic programmes their offer.
The I-Care Health Training Institute takes pride in assisting students across all academic programmes to grow and excel into subtle and accountable citizens of the subsequent generation in the healthcare sector. They will be able to assist you with all questions regarding their programmes as of Thursday.
In addition, one of Namibia’s leading fishing companies, Erongo Marine Enterprises, will also be welcoming visitors to the expo who want to learn more about their fishing operations.
“Erongo Marine Enterprises has an exemplary record in respect of its fishing operations as well as its focus on socio-economic investment and development. As a good corporate citizen, we are driven by the motto to ‘empower, equip and transform’ lives and continually strive to convert our fishing rights into broad-based social and economic benefits in a sustainable and inclusive manner to the benefit of all stakeholders,” the company stated.
Moreover, local financial institution Nedbank Namibia has emphasised that it has played a vital role in driving economic growth and sustainable development in Namibia.
The bank and its staff will be ready to share its products with clients and potential new clients.