OTIE brings hope to Ondangwa

The Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (OTIE) is designed to promote business and industrial development at the northern town, with small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) and the manufacturing sector making up the majority of exhibitors.

Over the past eight years that Ondangwa has been hosting this event, the town and its surrounding areas have seen SMEs thriving and the manufacturing sector growing at a rapid pace.

There are direct benefits to businesses that get an opportunity to exhibit and trade at the exhibition centre.

The economy of Ondangwa receives a much-needed boost during the exhibition period as exhibitors and visitors alike make use of accommodation facilities, eateries, service stations and retailers.

“We are also seeing the manufacturing sector coming up in Ondangwa and we believe that it's through supporting and growing this sector that we as a town and as a country will create jobs for the locals,” says town CEO Ismael Namgongo.

“It is a proven fact that jobs in developed economies are created in the SME and the manufacturing sectors. With that understanding, the organising committee has extended a gesture to all Ondangwa-based manufacturers, small and established ones, to come and showcase their products at very favourable terms.

“Ondangwa is one of the few towns in the country that is blessed with a lot of comparative advantages.

“It is an ideal place to do business and you are guaranteed easy access to the entire population in the north, it is easy to reach all corners of the north-central regions; one doesn't necessarily need to set up businesses in all corners and towns in the north but once you set up shop in Ondangwa, you are guaranteed of the market in the north.”

According to Namgongo, the town continues to ensure that it is investor friendly at all times.

“As a council, we make sure that the business environment is good to do business in the area and we make sure that supporting infrastructure for business to thrive (business/industrial land, safety and security and other basic services such as water) are available and complemented by other infrastructure such as roads, air transport and rail transport. Having the above advantages over the other towns is a good thing but the economy of Ondangwa and that of Oshana, and subsequently that of the whole country, is still growing compared to bigger economies of the world and in situations like this, we need everyone in the economy to play their part.”



SME commitment

Namgongo says the town also remains committed to see the growth of the local SME and manufacturing sectors, starting with the annual trade and industrial exhibition.

“Ondangwa hosts relatively small but fast growing manufacturers and through this event, council is giving them an opportunity to promote their products.

“Council is calling upon all manufacturers to partner with us in this drive; just call our office and council can offer affordable/favourable opportunities to either showcase your products or set up business in Ondangwa,” he says.

“This event is structured in a way that it promotes both public and private businesses and services. For business to grow, business leaders need information on their businesses and opportunities that are available.

“The event is therefore a platform where the public institutions (government ministries, SOEs, NGOs, municipalities) are taking part in an effort to interact with the general community and give information about the services they are offering to the people.

“Of course as a council we always use this platform to interact with the residents of Ondangwa, business community and with potential investors.”



ILENI NANDJATO