Ondangwa raises close to N$500 000 for expo

At a fundraising event on Saturday, the Ondangwa Town Council raised close to N$500 000 for this year’s trade and industrial expo.Redforce Debt Management pledged N$100 000, FNB Namibia’s Ondangwa branch N$80 000 and Ondangwa Private Hospital N$30 000.In a speech read on her behalf, industrialisation and trade minister Lucia Iipumbu said the government will continue to create a conducive environment for business, which will translate into the creation of employment opportunities.She also stressed the importance of the manufacturing industry.“As government, it is our ambition to constantly provide and promote opportunities for investment, growth and collaboration. Our economy still requires diversification, which includes the establishment of vibrant manufacturing industry [as well as] value addition to locally produced goods and expansion with regards to our service industry,” she said.“Only with this objective in mind can we, as a nation, industrialise, be able to create permanent and sustainable jobs and remain competitive - not only with our neighbours, but also with the continent and the world at large.”Economic challengesThe minister said just like other countries, Namibia faces economic challenges, which have a negative impact on businesses and which eventually threaten job opportunities. The situation therefore requires a collective effort, she noted.“This year, we are already on guard due to the sporadic rains received, especially in this part of the country, and drought is eminent. All these challenges have an adverse effect on businesses and jobs and our subsequent standard of living.“It therefore requires collective planning, innovation and resilience to boost entrepreneurship that could create sustainable employment for especially our women and youth, which can add impetus to our small- and medium-sized enterprise [SME] sector and motivate local and foreign investors to establish new and continue existing businesses,” Iipumbu said.Last year, around 250 exhibitors took part in the expo.The 11th edition is set to take place at the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition Centre from 30 April to 4 May.kenya@namibiansun.com

Ondangwa raises close to N$500 000 for expo

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-25

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Ondangwa raises close to N$500 000 for expo

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-25

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