SWAiTEX officially opened

The annual SWAiTEX business expo was officially opened yesterday, marking the start of the three-day event at Swakopmund. The minister of industrialisation, trade and SME development, Immanuel Ngatjizeko, yesterday officially opened the Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAiTEX) at The Dome, Swakopmund Indoor Sport Centre. According to the executive chairman of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), Paul Ndjambula, the expo was created to provide an opportunity for business and community stakeholders to showcase their products and services to the public, while at the same time forging networks and business lineages for economic growth. “From its very humble beginnings in a tent at the Swakopmund municipality parking lot in 2013, SWAiTEX has become a permanent fixture on the Erongo Region events calendar and attracts many visitors and investors,” he said. The expo, which is now in its fourth year, has fewer exhibitors than originally planned this year because of the current low economic situation in Namibia. Ndjambula however said exhibitors taking part this year will get improved service and value for money. “Government and business sector support is critical for our success. The SWAiTEX exhibitors represent international, national and proudly local Swakopmund businesses,” he said. Ngatjizeko congratulated the organisers of the expo on a job well done and encouraged investors to join their efforts in making the Erongo Region a trade hub. “Erongo is a very important location for trade in Africa. Last year we had a trade deficit of N$39 billion, hence we need to grow our own local industries and invest in local businesses to grow our trade industry and we need to go beyond just exporting raw minerals,” said the chief executive officer of the NCCI, Tarah Shaanika. According to him the government has done a lot to create a free market in the SADC region and that it is now up to private business owners and stakeholders to work together to create a larger platform to showcase local businesses and products to the international market. “We want the world to see that Africa is rising. Our economies are growing fast and our population is growing fast. The future really is in Africa,” he said. SWAiTEX will be running until 15 October and is open to all members of the public. JESSICA BOTES

SWAiTEX officially opened

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Namibian Sun 2026-05-18

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SWAiTEX officially opened

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Namibian Sun 2026-05-18

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