2008-06-03Staff Report 2 "By Charles Tjatindi WALVIS BAY The Erongo Youth Forum and the line ministry are going host the second installment of the Erongo Youth Expo. The Expo aims to create a platform for the youth to showcase their products and services, in a bid to promote and attract more people to their respective businesses. The event also aims to serve as a networking opportunity for especially young entrepreneurs. It is envisaged that the Erongo Youth Expo will become an annual event, following its successful launch last year. The hosting committee held a fundraising dinner to start efforts aimed at securing funds for the Expo. In a statement delivered on his behalf by Walvis Bay Councilor Hafeni Ndemula, Prime Minister Nahas Angula said entrepreneurship is an important vehicle that can help usher in a great sense of relief in the country, especially given the rapid increase in the prices of basic commodities, fuel and energy and interest rates by commercial banks. The Premier noted that transformation requires the marshalling of all role players and stakeholders in society to create winning entrepreneurs comparable with the best in the world. He said entrepreneurs are not just created and crafted in classrooms at institutions of higher learning, but should experience true-to-life events that will enable them to experience real life events. Financial institutions need to re-look their lending procedures and requirements while the youth should also learn responsible spending, he noted. ""The successful reform of such a process will enable the banks to have confidence when lending money to a youth with the view to starting a business. The young person on the other hand would have mastered the skills of responsible spending. I personally hold the view that our youths should be the focal point of all our developmental efforts since they would take over from us and ensure that our country takes its rightful place amongst the nations of the world,"" said Angula. He urged companies and individuals to lend their support the Expo materially, morally or financially. ""I am informed that the Erongo Regional Youth Forum will send letters to business people in Namibia in which they will seek sponsorship to this effect; my hope is therefore that once you received such a request, that you shall do the right thing and answer with your checkbooks or your personal involvements,"" said Angula. According to the Prime Minister, investing in the youth has guaranteed favorable returns. The organisers hope that the youth expo will be a catalyst to stimulate the growth of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME and that it will ensure that when the SME sector takes off in Namibia, the youth will be at the helm of the boom. The exposition seeks to expose business ideas, products and services of young and upcoming entrepreneurs who are motivated by profit but also who remain vigilant at risks associated with starting a business. The event is expected to attract more than 300 young entrepreneurs from Namibia and other SADC countries. Service providers and corporate entities will provide information to especially young entrepreneurs. " 2008-06-03Staff Report 2
