Minister of Industrialisation and Trade, Lucia Iipumbu has said the Eenhana Trade and Business Expo should serve as a vehicle for rural economic development and the improvement of people’s lives.
Iipumbu made these remarks during the official opening of the 13th edition of the expo on Tuesday.
The expo is being held under the theme ‘Reviving local economy through business resilience, innovation and diversification’.
Iipumbu said the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing global geo-political situation call for united efforts to achieve self-reliance, particularly in terms of food production.
She stressed that it is crucial for Namibians, especially in the Ohangwena Region and Eenhana town, to explore innovative strategies that accelerate structural economic transformation, enabling businesses to adapt to changing times.
“The government wants to see businesses growing from informal and small and medium enterprises level to the level of reputable enterprises,” the minister said.
To achieve this, deliberate efforts towards diversification of business portfolios and value addition of products are essential.
Iipumbu further highlighted the significance of the expo as a platform for exchanging valuable business knowledge among participants, fostering collaborations that could lead to sustainable business ventures.
She reiterated her ministry’s commitment to promoting local economic development activities and initiatives like the expos, which play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, business development, and nurturing an entrepreneurial culture within the Namibian economy.
This year’s Eenhana Expo has attracted approximately 200 exhibitors, with FNB as the main sponsor of the event.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency