Vendors unhappy

Some vendors selling traditional items at the Ondangwa Trade and Industrialisation Expo (OTIE) indicated they considered packing up and returning to the open market as there are no customers.The entrepreneurs expected that the official opening which took place Tuesday would draw a large crowd for them to make sales but as the day progressed they were disappointed as customers did not visit their stalls as anticipated.The vendors described this year's expo as boring and not worth their time as some were even spotted dozing when Namibian Sun visited their tents.A disappointed vendor, Sarlote Sinime said that the possibility of her not hanging on to the last day of the expo is likely to happen as he is not making any sales, saying that at the open market is a much better option.“We looked forward to this day hoping that the official opening would see us making money but this time around it was a disappointment. You can see (pointing in the direction of other vendors) people even want to sleep,” Sinime said.Sinime said that she was also disappointed by the fact that after the governor, Clemens Kashuupulwa delivered the keynote address he and his delegation did not visit the tent selling traditional food and items.Sinime made the statement referring to last year's official opening where President Hage Geingob visited their tent which saw some of his delegation making a purchase or two.“This time around the official opening was not fair because we were expecting that the people, along with the governor, would come this way like the president did last year but they disappointed us,” she said.Another disappointed vendor, Mweendo Nuujoma indicated that the situation was no better for him either.“The official opening was not good for us as we did not benefit like we use to this time around. I have not made enough. I only made what I paid to council to be here,” Nuujoma said.“I will see how it goes, if it remains like this then I do not know,” Nuujoma added.Meanwhile Kashupuulwa read the minister of industrialisation, Immanuel Ngatjizeko's speech on his behalf. Ngatjizeko could not attend.Ngatjizeko said the ministry supports trade fairs because they connect the business people with the community.“We believe that trade fairs bring business representatives face-to-face with future buyers in a unique environment that allows them to introduce themselves, establish contacts, work on partnerships and gain crucial information,” Ngatjizeko said.He also indicated that trade exhibitions contribute towards the achievement of broad national socio-economic development goals.“In addition, the Ondangwa Town Council uses this platform to attract investors in order to boost economic activities,” Ngatjizeko said. The OTIE which is under the theme 'Empowering Businesses towards an Industrialised Nation' kicked off last week Friday and will conclude tomorrow.KENYA KAMBOWE

Vendors unhappy

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Vendors unhappy

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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