Networking crucial for SME development

Founder of the Northern SME Expo, Nangula Nashandi said for Namibia to be self-sustainable it needs to empower the youth and expose them to potential investors.Nashandi made the remarks at the opening of the Northern SME Expo at Ondangwa last week Friday.The expo has attracted 250 local exhibitors and is aimed at building an economy that can sustain itself in the long run.The Chicco Group of Companies, as the main sponsor of the expo, has paid for 150 exhibition stalls of N$ 1 500 each to provide space for some of the participating small entrepreneurs.According to Nashandi, there is a high need to uplift the local SMEs in order to ensure that Namibia can produce its products without having to depend entirely on export."It should be not us depending on international countries, but it should become an option for export to the international countries", she stated.NetworkingNashandi mentioned that plans are underway to turn the expo into an annual event.She went on to say foreign SMEs, especially from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), would be invited to participate next time to network and share the experiences with their Namibian counterparts for the purposes of youth entrepreneurship development.Speaking at the fundraising dinner of the event held at Ongwediva a fortnight ago, renowned Namibian business tycoon, Erastus Shapumba of the Chicco Group of Companies stated that networking with other SMEs should be seen as an opportunity and not a counterintuitive.- Nampa

Networking crucial for SME development

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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Networking crucial for SME development

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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