Staff Writer
Vice President Nangolo Mbumba said the Head of State has commended everyone who has worked hard to make the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) a success and for having demonstrated that the Harambee spirit’s power is well and alive.
“As Namibia continues along its development trajectory, concepts such as Smart Economy will become more important in order to support our developmental aspirations in a rapidly changing world. Given the fact that Namibia is a nation positioning itself to stay ahead of the development curb by adapting to the 4IR, concepts such as Smart Economy should become part and parcel of our development portfolio. I am therefore pleased that the Ongwediva Trade Fair, which has always endeavoured to stay ahead of the curve, has adopted a concept that promotes innovation, new entrepreneurial initiatives, increases productivity and competitiveness,” he stated.
Geingob said this yesterday at the official opening of the annual 20th Ongwediva Trade Fair which has not taken place during the last two years because of the restrictions enforced to curb Covid-19.
The trade fair started on the 26 August and is expected to end on the 1st of September.
About 350 corporate entities, government ministries, small and medium enterprises, local traders, entrepreneurs, and international businesses, investors or organisations were expected to participate in this year’s trade fair.
The OATF is Namibia’s largest long-standing multi-sectoral trade and business exposition annually hosted by the Ongwediva Trade Fair Society in conjunction with the Ongwediva Town Council, and in collaboration with various public and private stakeholders.
MTC Managing Director Licky Erastus also praised the OATF organizing committee for embracing technology and providing a hybrid trade fair experience for this year’s edition, calling it a positive step towards a smart economy.
“The hybrid approach means that the fair is now combining the best of two worlds – physically-present exhibitors and digital exhibitors from all over the world showcasing Namibian products and services beyond Ongwediva and the physical borders of Namibia,” he said.
