By: Uakutura Kambaekua – Opuwo

The 9th edition of the annual Opuwo trade fair attracted more than 5000 visitors and more than 120 exhibitors.

The week-long fair, which was hosted under the theme “Unlocking Trade Investment Opportunities Towards a shared economic vision amidst Covid-19 pandemic”, included various activities. Among these was a session for the youth on career guidance farmers’ information session day to focus on breeding, crop production, feeding tips, poultry farming and animal health which AgriBank hosted.

The fair also included sporting activities. A boxing bonanza entertained spectators that was initially meant to promote and groom local boxers. A tag-of-war and a 7-a-side soccer tourney were the other sporting events.

The town has not held the fair for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Described as the biggest event in the Kunene region’s calendar, the event also allowed exhibitors and visitors to connect and interact through business to business meetings.

President Hage Geingob, who officiated the event, said it would showcase the opportunities in the region and attract much-needed investment for business opportunities in Kunene.

He said the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the prospects for economic growth and socio-economic architecture in unprecedented ways.

“As we commence with the rebuilding process in the wake of this pandemic, we must do so by being innovative and collaborative to develop resiliency for future economic shocks and pandemics. In other words, at this point, we must develop a mindset geared towards reimaging our country. This calls for a new mindset, new approaches towards solving and preparing for challenges and a positive approach towards developing Namibia,” added Geingob.

According to Geingob, events such as the Opuwo Annual Trade Fair should no longer be seen as merely marketing platforms but as conduits for business innovation and catalysts for diversified economic growth.

“It is events such as the Opuwo Trade Fair, which should generate new and novel ways towards socio-economic development and the rebuilding of the local economy of Opuwo town and the Kunene Region at large,” stressed Geingob.

Moreover, Geingob noted that the nation should embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) and harness the potential that new technologies offer to remain competitive in the global economy.

“I, therefore, urge those operating within the ICT space to extend such technologies to Opuwo and surrounding areas in Kunene region,” he said.

He added that the private sector is the economy’s engine and the primary driver of the creative and innovative capacity needed to bring about and support sustainable, inclusive, job-led growth and development.

“With this in mind, I am pleased to note that the private sector continues to provide invaluable support to the Opuwo Trade Fair, making it the premier regional platform for both established and fledgling companies to broaden their appeal locally, regionally and internationally.”

Geingob lauded stakeholders in the agricultural sector, such as the Agricultural Bank of Namibia, the University of Namibia, Food Namibia and other industry players, for providing information and practical training to local farmers.

“This vital skills transfer will equip our local farmers with the necessary skills needed to enhance competence to unlock the economic potential in the agricultural sector. This is apt, given that Kunene region has been one of the worst-hit regions in terms of the devastating spells of drought that we have experienced over the past several years,” noted Geingob.

He further urged local business people to continue to remain tenacious.

Speaking on the same occasion, Opuwo mayor Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo said the event, which started in 2012, has always been a platform for marketing and selling. “These are events where we market the town, attract investors and create opportunities through business networking. In a knowledge-based society, information has become a decisive resource. The production, selection, filtration and channelling of information have thus become some of the most important tasks in a national economy,” she said.

Tjeundo also commended the government through the trade ministry for supporting the concept of trade fairs. “These efforts are central to various governments’ policy measures to move away from high reliance on production and trading of raw materials and increased dependence on imports.”

She said the fair’s theme sets the tone for locals to “continue building a competitive business environment to promote investment, growth, jobs and incomes, durables for consumers; and an economy built on opportunity to thrive and prosper.”

This year brought together 126 exhibitors from the previous 80.

“This year, we have exhibitors from Tanzania and the Soul Brothers from South Africa, who partnered with the town council to raise funds for the fair activities and the construction of a modern sports stadium. Therefore, Opuwo and Kunene region comes logically from the spirit of Namibia –International strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation. I see in this a sign of acknowledgement of the weight of our country’s intellectual and economic potential. And of course, this is a sign of growing interest by entrepreneurs from various countries. Indeed, the small-scale economic changes in our country create good opportunities today for bold business activity, for realising truly strategic projects,” said Tjeundo.