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Home / Helao Nafidi Business Expo bigger and better
Helao Nafidi Business Expo bigger and better
2013-10-29Staff Report 2 Eenhana – More than hundred food and beverage traders, 60 corporate companies and small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) have so far booked their space for this year’s Helao Nafidi business and expo event, which runs until November 3. Business networking, entertainment and fun are the main menu for the Helao Nafidi Business Expo in the Ohangwena Region. The expo takes place at its annual and traditional venue, the Helao Nafidi Business Recreation Park which is situated in the Ondangwa and Oshikango main road of the northern border town. All participants and exhibitors are from within Namibia, said Selma Shekuza, the Helao Nafidi Officer for Local and Economic Development and Tourism. “We have extended invitations to our neighbours in Angola and Zimbabwe, but we have not received responses from them and but our local exhibitors have already put up their stalls and are ready for business,” she said. “We shall depend on our local exhibitors because with our venue, it is difficult to invite them (foreign exhibitors) but as from next year, we have better plans since we are constructing a state of the art exhibition centre that will have the capacity to accommodate many exhibitors including foreigners,” she explained. Sports activities, arts and music performance and kids’ entertainment which was introduced as part of the activities will once again be among the main features expected to attract families and revelers at this year’s expo. “We have plans to change the current state of the expo by bringing in a tourism attraction element in future for the development of our Ohangwena Region,” Shekuza explained The leadership of the town last month held a fundraising gala dinner which served as the launching pad of the event. “It was a huge and a successful dinner where the town generated more than N$ 300 000, compared to N$180 000 which was collected during the 2012 fundraising dinner,” she noted The Minister of Finance Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila officiated at the fundraising dinner, while according to this year’s programme President Hifikepunye Pohamba is expected to officially open the expo on October 30. The event will also see some of Namibia’s top and award winning artistes such as the Dogg, Mushe and Gazza and some other upcoming artistes in the north entertaining the trade fair exhibitors and show goers. This year’s expo will be held under the theme “Promoting Local Economy” and also held under the patronage of the northern business tycoon Ben Hauwanga of the BH Group of companies. By Clemence Tashaya 2013-10-29Staff Report 2
