ONGWEDIVA – Many exhibitors who have stalls at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair are excited about the opportunity, with some already pleading with the Ongwediva Town Council to extend the number of days of the fair to at least two weeks.
One of the vendors, Martha Ndeunyema was happy that out of thousands of applicants, she was lucky to receive a spot to sell her traditional food and a variety of locally produced items at the popular trade fair.
“The annual trade fair is a viable platform for the promotion of investment opportunities, trade, and marketing of services and products,” she said.
Ndeunyema added the fair is the right place to expose business people to wider markets, new technologies, and modern methods of production. She said on top of showcasing her products, she is also going to learn a lot, especially from international exhibitors.
Hambeleleni Noodi, a carpenter from Oshakati, was found preparing her table to sell sieves that she made.
“Most of the people come to trade fair with the intention to look for this kind of traditional things, so this is the chance for us to sell,” she said.
Noodi further pleaded with the town council to extend the days of trading to at least two weeks. She said the council needs to give enough time to customers who get paid at month’s end to buy their things since not everyone will have money from the first day of the fair.
Another vendor, Foibe Petrus said the fair has become famous for its traditional
cuisine and food, and wished the town council could add more days for trading.
“This is my fourth time selling vegetables at the trade fair, and I never regret taking part; customers are always available, unlike other fairs that take place in the region,” she noted.
International exhibitors have applauded the Ongwediva Town Council for the trade fair, saying the fair has created a good opportunity for global and international companies to market their services in Namibia.
The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair is a trade promotion platform, which has developed into the biggest business event in the northern region, with strong linkages to international exhibitors from 10 countries.
Omphile Lubanzi from South Africa described the trade fair as a good market.
He said last year he was here too and Namibian people are friendly and he is always willing to bring his accessory products to Namibia during the trade fair.
Eriot Matsika from Zimbabwe said he is planning to establish a company in Namibia that sells handmade leather products such as handbags and jackets because he gets more customers during the trade fair.
“If I have to establish my company in Namibia, I will definitely employ Namibian people because they are the ones that I always employ during trade fairs. But if I need highly-skilled people; I might also employ international people,” said Matsika.
This year’s Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair is expecting more than 120 000 visitors.
- vkaapanda@nepc.com.na