WALVIS BAY – The Governor of the Erongo Region, Cleophas Mutjavikua says Namibians should move away from buying and reselling of goods at expos and trade fairs, and entrepreneurs should instead focus on marketing own products.
According to Mutjavikua Namibians should make use of the various opportunities made available by the government and rather get into the habit of manufacturing and marketing their own products.
He said this during the opening of the Namport Erongo Business and Tourism Expo that took place last week in Walvis Bay at the Walvis Bay Civic Centre and attracted more than 10 000 visitors. More than 300 exhibitors from Namibia and neighbouring countries exhibited their services and products at the Expo.
Mutjavikua raised his concern over increasing number of Chinese products that takes up large space at trade fairs across the country, saying at least 95 per cent of the products sold are not produced in Namibia and that locals are only acting as agents selling such products.
“We should refrain from doing so, by thinking outside the box. The time has come that start manufacturing our own products. The government have initiated various programmes and is availing funding as well. Let us make use of such opportunities and create our own economical wealth,” he explained.
He went on to say that in a highly competitive world innovation is the key component for success. “By finding and developing key products allows businesses to shape a certain market for its products and minimizes competition. While we see high volumes exports of our primary products to foreign markets for value addition, opportunities do exists within the local market to provide value addition to locally produced raw materials,” governor said.
He then indicated that the Erongo Regional Council is working towards developing an international exhibition conference centre at the two coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
“We are working on an idea with the municipalities of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund to develop an international exhibition conference centre. We have an area we are looking at and both towns are supporting this centre, which will be the first one in Namibia,” Mutjavikua said.
By Eveline de Klerk