Innovation key - Geingob
Hundreds of local and international exhibitors are showcasing their products and services at this year's OATF.
President Hage Geingob has urged businesses to not only use trade fairs and expos to market their products.
He said they should also use them as platforms to build their own business styles and gain insight on the latest business innovations, to enable them to develop capabilities that will grow the country's economy.
Geingob made these remarks while opening the 20th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) on Saturday.
He said the OATF has become a primary platform for established and fledgling companies to broaden their appeal locally, regionally and internationally, by increasing the brand appeal of SMEs.
About 451 local and international exhibitors are showcasing their products and services at this year's OATF.
“I am confident that many of the exhibitors present at this year's OATF are not only here to market their products and services, but also came to build their business styles and gain insight into trends, technology and innovations on the market, to enable them to develop the capability to drive the economic advancement of our country,” said Geingob.
“Trade fairs and expos throughout the country should play a leading role in providing diverse products and focus on bringing… exhibitions in key and strategic sectors of the economy.”
Geingob said this is crucial, given the Growth at Home strategy.
Tomas Koneka Iindji, the area business manager far north at FNB Namibia, said this year's trade fair highlights one thing: Celebrating and supporting Namibian small entrepreneurs.
“When they succeed, Namibian people prosper. Although small businesses have a critical role to play in addressing the challenges that our citizens are confronted with, levels of entrepreneurship and growth in the small business sector remain low. Nevertheless, despite challenges, small businesses are vital contributors to the health of the economy and offer diverse opportunities in our society,” Iindji said.
“They boost productivity, increase competition and innovation, create employment, as well as revitalise our communities. FNB has a dedicated SME team to assist in developing small businesses, aimed at boosting small business development and promoting smaller entities in their growth, because we understand that small businesses are the foundation of a sustainable economy.”
Iindji said they are aware that fewer than 20% of small businesses survive their first year, but they would like this to change.
He said along with their partners, they want to make sure that young people know they are helped and nurtured.
“As we continue with the trade fair, let us reflect on the deliberations, and going forward, use this platform as an information-sharing and gathering session to further develop SME success,” Iindji added.
ILENI NANDJATO
He said they should also use them as platforms to build their own business styles and gain insight on the latest business innovations, to enable them to develop capabilities that will grow the country's economy.
Geingob made these remarks while opening the 20th Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) on Saturday.
He said the OATF has become a primary platform for established and fledgling companies to broaden their appeal locally, regionally and internationally, by increasing the brand appeal of SMEs.
About 451 local and international exhibitors are showcasing their products and services at this year's OATF.
“I am confident that many of the exhibitors present at this year's OATF are not only here to market their products and services, but also came to build their business styles and gain insight into trends, technology and innovations on the market, to enable them to develop the capability to drive the economic advancement of our country,” said Geingob.
“Trade fairs and expos throughout the country should play a leading role in providing diverse products and focus on bringing… exhibitions in key and strategic sectors of the economy.”
Geingob said this is crucial, given the Growth at Home strategy.
Tomas Koneka Iindji, the area business manager far north at FNB Namibia, said this year's trade fair highlights one thing: Celebrating and supporting Namibian small entrepreneurs.
“When they succeed, Namibian people prosper. Although small businesses have a critical role to play in addressing the challenges that our citizens are confronted with, levels of entrepreneurship and growth in the small business sector remain low. Nevertheless, despite challenges, small businesses are vital contributors to the health of the economy and offer diverse opportunities in our society,” Iindji said.
“They boost productivity, increase competition and innovation, create employment, as well as revitalise our communities. FNB has a dedicated SME team to assist in developing small businesses, aimed at boosting small business development and promoting smaller entities in their growth, because we understand that small businesses are the foundation of a sustainable economy.”
Iindji said they are aware that fewer than 20% of small businesses survive their first year, but they would like this to change.
He said along with their partners, they want to make sure that young people know they are helped and nurtured.
“As we continue with the trade fair, let us reflect on the deliberations, and going forward, use this platform as an information-sharing and gathering session to further develop SME success,” Iindji added.
ILENI NANDJATO
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