Ngatjizeko wants local products at trade fairs

The minister of trade, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, wants to see unique and locally made products exhibited at trade fairs.Speaking at the official opening of the Okakarara annual trade fair on Friday, Ngatjizeko commended local authorities and the organising committees for creating platforms where local and international businesses can showcase their products and services.He said unique, locally manufactured products should be exhibited and discouraged the current tendency of purchasing goods with a plan to resell them at trade fairs.The minister said trade fairs are needed to create job opportunities.“Forty-four permanent jobs have been created at the Okakarara trade fair alone and that is commendable,” Ngatjizeko said.He said his ministry would continue to support all local trade fairs.Ngatjizeko noted that his ministry assisted 12 SMEs at Okakarara with funds to pay for their stalls as the businesses were unable to do so on their own.Several exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the 11th edition of the trade fair, which is taking place at the Okakarara Trade Fair Centre.Imelda Gawachas of Aqua Ozone Suppliers on Friday said she was happy with the setup and arrangement of stalls.She said each stall can be spotted from a distance and the space for visitors to walk between the stalls is also sufficient.Linda Nkya from Tanzania is exhibiting African garments and materials.“It is my first time to be here and I am very happy with the reception given and the interaction with these friendly people,” she said.Beatrice Mwangi from Kenya also sells African clothes and materials and said she will be back next year.She said several customers showed interest in her products, which she finds motivating.Okakarara CEO Ernst Katjiku on his part said the council allowed more than 100 informal traders from Okakarara to sell cooked food along John Tjikuua Street.“We however restricted the sale of alcohol, which is only allowed inside the trade fair,” he said.A total of 152 local and international exhibitors participated in the 2017 Okakarara trade fair, including four exhibitors from Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa and Bulgaria.NAMPA

Ngatjizeko wants local products at trade fairs

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-10

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Ngatjizeko wants local products at trade fairs

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-10

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