2006-08-25Staff Report 2 """The commercial value of art is frequently overlooked,"" said the company owner of SMEs Compete Danny Meyer, in a press release. ""It is for this very reason that we have expanded our client base to include Namibian artists as a specific focus industry cluster,"" Meyer said. According to him, SMEs Compete is a firm that supports growth and employment creation in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector. ""It conducts industry-specific activities to extend and deepen SMEs' skills, to create cohesive sector specific groups for communication, sub-contracting and exchange of tools and equipment; to introduce SMEs to larger companies and to promote trade.ÃÆ'Æ'ÀÃ...ÃÆ''šÃ‚ ""However, SMEs Compete does not limit its support provision. Group activities, as well as individualized support for entrepreneurs, are also provided to businesses operating outside the focus industry clusters,"" the unsigned statement said. It further claims that, although accurate statistics are not readily available, it is believed that works of art brought by foreign visitors to Namibia contribute millions of dollars to the country's export earnings. ""In pursuance of its cluster strategy, SMEs Compete will be arranging an exhibition for Namibian artists. Dubbed 'Art 4 U' the event is scheduled to take place from 21 to 23 September. One of the artists who will be participating is Werner Mouton. He recently exhibited at the FNCC and his work is currently on display at Europe House, too,"" Meyer stated." 2006-08-25Staff Report 2
