2013-10-09Staff Report 2 WINDHOEK - The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) says that since about 60 percent of its members fall in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, its upcoming eighth annual SME Development Conference is an important event to discuss pertinent matters affecting this crucial sector. The full day conference, which this year takes on the theme of “Growth at Home - Procurement and Capability Development for SMEs”, will take place on Friday, October 11, at the Kavango Regional Council Auditorium in Rundu and will be followed by a cocktail reception, hosted by the governor of the Kavango regions, Dr Samuel Mbambo. The conference goes into its eighth year and has become a very important event for NCCI members, Namibia’s business community, government policy-makers, regional and local authorities, procurement specialists and stakeholders and institutions that support the development of the SME sector. The speakers and selected topics will review and understand the opportunities and processes for investing in, and procuring from, the burgeoning SME market within Namibia. According to the NCCI the conference takes on a mobile format, whereby a new region is visited each year. Historically the conference has been hosted in Ongwediva, Tsumeb, Keetmanshoop, Swakopmund and now for the first time, in Rundu. “It is important to take this conference to grassroot constituencies so as to provide them equal exposure to the developments and opportunities presented in various towns,” said Tarah Shaanika, chief executive officer of the NCCI. The speakers and selected topics will set the tone for discussions and recommendations on policy interventions and realistic mechanisms to support the growth of the SME sector as well as provide direction on how SMEs can implement the concept of growth at home in their business operations. The conference participants will also provide thoughtful leadership and input on strategic decision-making for companies considering SMEs as suppliers as part of their procurement programme or as part of their strategy to develop business relationships with the SME sector. The event will also present an exhibition and marketing platform for a limited number of participating SMEs, which will have dedicated exhibition space for the duration of the conference. By Staff Reporter 2013-10-09Staff Report 2
