Africa-Press – Namibia. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said she is happy to learn that 60% of this year’s exhibitors at Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) are youth, while 70% are women.
She stated that these are not just figures, but a testimony of the trade fair’s empowerment of women and young people in shaping their economic future.
“I applaud women and young people for their entrepreneurial spirit, courage, creativity and innovation. The OATF has truly grown,” she said.
The President made these remarks during the official opening of OATF on Sunday in the Oshana region.
This year, the trade fair attracted a total of 450 exhibitors, including 26 international exhibitors from countries, such as, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Indonesia, Botswana and South Africa.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said this growth underscores the potential of other trade fairs and exhibitions across the country to attract international exhibitors to promote regional and continental integrations in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This year’s theme, ‘Innovate-Connect-Prosper’, resonates with the essence of the national economic transformation journey we have embarked upon.
She said this is a call to action and a guiding principle for collective efforts towards sustainable economic growth, development and shared prosperity.
In addition, the President said this trade fair facilitates opportunities for businesses across regions, sectors and countries to showcase their innovations, connect with markets and explore partnerships.
“I am informed that this year’s exhibitors represent a wide range of sectors – from energy, fisheries, health, finance, and arts and crafts,” she said. The Head of State noted that this trade fair contributes to the Economic Growth, Transformation and Resilience Pillar of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP 6), particularly on youth employment, local value addition and digital transformation.
In addition, the trade fair links businesses and markets, supporting the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly those led by women and youth.
Also at the occasion, Oshana governor Hofni Ipinge called on participants to make use of the various trade and networking opportunities to become more competitive.
“We take pride in not only being a hub of commerce, governance and commerce but also a place where culture, innovation and enterprise converge,” he said.
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