By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK After successfully launching the Okakarara Trade Fair Society last year, plans are under way to hold the first ever Trade Fair in September this year. There is potential for the town of Okakarara to become the centre of attraction for business opportunities as local and international entrepreneurs come to showcase their goods and services to the general public during the envisaged trade fair. It is against this background that the Okakarara Constituency Development Committee (CDC) is seeking financial assistance that would help make this economically beneficial event a reality in eight months’ time. The trade fair, which will be held from September 13 to 17 this year, aims at bringing together local, regional, national and international business people who are willing to showcase their products. Chairperson of the Okakarara Trade Fair Society Technical Committee, Jackson Hindjou, informed New Era that, on its part, the society managed to generate its own funds for the event, but it still needs further assistance from both the public and private sectors. “We want to make this first Trade Fair an unforgettable event in the minds of our people. To make this all a reality, the society is in need of N$433ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 financial aid to accomplish this,” explained Hindjou. The society has so far managed to generate close to N$50ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 through a fundraising dinner and another N$15ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000 through donations from main committee members since the establishment of the society. Hence, Hindjou is appealing for more funds from various public and private institutions to cater for the outstanding amount of N$368ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000. The official launch of the society in November last year was conducted by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Bernhardt Esau as the keynote speaker, and was also well attended by close to 80 local community members of the Okakarara Constituency. Other dignitaries were the patron of the society, Vekuui Rukoro, several Members of Parliament and executives from key institutions in the country. Last year, the fundraising dinner was well attended, with over 200 members who bought tickets. Entertainment was provided by the Tjitjekura Concert Group and local comedians. The tickets were divided into two categories, namely: a single ticket for N$150 and a ticket for a table of ten for N$2ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 000. Locally-made crafts and cultural products such as Herero dresses, leather bags and ornaments, were also auctioned during the fundraising dinner, whilst pledges were made. This year’s plans are in full swing to make this the biggest trade fair for the business people of Okakarara, the constituency and the Otjozondjupa Region as a whole. “We are expecting a lot of local Small and Medium Enterprises as well as international exhibitors. As it will be our first trade fair, plans are already under way to come up with a special display that will attract more exhibitors and the public at large,” said Hindjou. The Okakarara Trade Fair Society has reserved its name under the Ministry of Trade and Industry and adopted their constitution during the official launching last year. Plans are also under way to officially register the society as a Section 21 Company, through the Okakarara Trade Fair Society Technical Committee.