President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officially opened the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) yesterday, where she expressed joy for the trade fair’s continuing success over the past 25 years.
The OATF, taking place for a 25th time, started last Friday and ends next Saturday.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah said that the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair started as a local authority exhibition and over the years it has grown into one of the leading exhibitions in Namibia.
The president congratulated the organisers of the trade fair, the Ongwediva Town Council, exhibitors and investors for their commitment and ongoing desire to deliver one of the best trade fairs in the country.
However the head of state said that there is a need for the trade fair to expand.
“The information I was given indicates that 1,872 applications looking for an exhibition space at this year’s trade fair were received,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. “Yet because the trade fair centre has reached its capacity, only 455 exhibitors could be accommodated.
“This is a challenge. It is an indication that Ongwediva has become the biggest of all, and it therefore calls on us to invest on it. This number shows us that Ongwediva is doing something right.
“Why are they attracting many applicants? They are doing something right.
“I therefore would like to congratulate the leadership of Ongwediva Town Council, the leadership of Oshana Region, the sponsors, the entrepreneurs, the community of Ongwediva and all stakeholders who over the years have helped build this trade fair into what it is today.”
The president stated also that 50% of the exhibitors at this year’s trade fair are women, while 30% of the exhibitors are youth-run or owned businesses.
In the photo: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah taking a tour of the trade fair.
