ONDANGWA – Minister of International Relations and Trade, Ambassador Selma Ashipala-Musavyi says her ministry is mandated to promote Namibia’s trade interests abroad while supporting a conducive environment for enterprise growth, market access and inclusive development at home, creating opportunities for local businesses.
She made these remarks yesterday while officially opening the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (OTIE), which started on 24 April and ends on 2 May.
“To this end, the ministry is finalising the Investment Promotion Bill, together with the relevant regulations, to be tabled in the National Assembly soon. We are ready to work with local and international event organisers to ensure the successful hosting of trade promotion events,” she said.
Held under the theme, Connecting Local Trade to the World, the exhibition is organised by the Ondangwa Town Council. Initially a local initiative, the expo is evolving into an international trade platform aimed at broadening business opportunities beyond Namibia’s borders, reflecting steady growth over the years.
This year’s exhibition has attracted 210 exhibitors, including three international participants from Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia.
Ashipala-Musavyi said through Namibia’s diplomatic missions, the ministry continues to position Namibian products, services and investment potential on the global stage, ensuring initiatives such as local trade promotion events establish linkages with international markets and partners.
She added that the ministry fully supports initiatives such as the trade fair, which contribute to national development goals and Namibia’s economic diplomacy.
“Let us use this exhibition as a launchpad that inspires innovation and strengthens our collective commitment to inclusive and sustainable economic development, and most importantly, propels local industries towards regional and global markets,” she said. She said the theme highlights the often invisible interdependence between small, community-level economic activities and complex global supply chains.
“It should make us rethink how best to market our products and services to the SADC region, the African continent and the world,” she added.
Speaking at the occasion, Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge said the region remains committed to advancing industrialisation, value addition and enterprise development.
“Ondangwa, together with Oshakati and Ongwediva, continues to form the backbone of our economic growth corridor, and platforms such as this trade fair are essential in unlocking that potential,” he said.
Iipinge added that, in line with the priorities of the 8th administration, there is a need to continue creating an enabling environment for businesses, particularly for youth and women, through improved infrastructure, access to markets and strengthened partnerships.
– fhamalwa@nepc.com.na