WINDHOEK –The second Omaheke Trade Fair, to be staged from September 24 to 28 at the Legare Stadium in Gobabis, presents all the actors in the agricultural sector of the region opportunities to promote unity in diversity and prosperity. Now is the time to drive Namibians out of poverty and secure high sustainable economic growth, even though all are wounded by the devastating drought.
This message was conveyed by Governor of the Omaheke Region, Festus Ueitele, last Thursday evening when he officially launched the second annual Omaheke Trade Fair in Windhoek.
Ueitele said the drought has taken on alarming proportions, but asked attendees from far and wide to stand together in unity to ensure that the agricultural sector remains a prominent player in contributing towards Namibia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“The drought should remind us all of the historic saying that ‘an injury to one, is an injury to all,’ but we must also remember that the Omaheke Trade Fair is the showcase of some of the best herds of cattle the country has to offer. The trade fair is therefore a splendid opportunity to bring big investments to the region and open doors in all trading sectors,” he noted.
Ueitele stressed that the Omaheke Region has been affected severely by the drought and that development will have to be multiplied several times if producers are to face the challenges ahead.
“Political stability is the key element in ensuring sustainable development in the country, and I can proudly state that the people of the Omaheke Region are determined to see rapid future growth under stable conditions. The Omaheke is indeed a difficult area to farm in due to various factors, but the presence of all the people gathered here tonight shows their commitment, and I am proud to be part of it,” he concluded.
Hans Hamukoto of the Namibian/Angolan Housing Institution (NAAHI) said the NAAHI group of companies is very proud to be the patron of the trade fair, adding that the trade fair aims to be a meeting ground for investors and businesses willing to invest in the region.
“The NAAHI as one of the Omaheke citizens has identified various opportunities, has been engaging the Omaheke Regional Council and the Gobabis Town Council with regard to the development of the Gobabis Industrial Logistics Park (GILP). The GILP will attract business from the public and private sectors of Namibia and the surrounding countries such as Botswana to augment the ability of these entities to export into the SADC region. GILP will be linked to a sister development the Walvis Bay Industrial Logistics Park (WILP) in order to access Walvis Bay for global imports and exports,” he announced.
He said the GILP further aims to stymie the logistical road-fairing hegemony of South Africa by ensuring value-addition and trans-shipment in Gobabis to afford an equal opportunity to the local and regional transport companies in establishing a firm foothold in the long-haul prospects inherent in the NAAHI programme.
“The NAAHI consequently fully supports the fast-tracked development of the trans-Kalahari railway line which will run through the Omaheke Region and we regard this capital investment project as the most important infrastructure development in the SADC region.
“The GILP is also anchored by a cattle processing cluster with the capacity of processing 1 000 head of cattle per day which will be open to the public and private sector players thereby creating a western corridor for Namibian and Botswana meat export capabilities.
“We believe that local authorities are at the forefront of development and job creation and this trade fair showcasing the Omaheke Region’s resources and opportunities is an avenue to bring investments,” he said.
By Deon Schlechter