Working towards being SADC’s logistics hub
15th Erongo Business and Tourism Expo
The 15th edition of the Erongo Business and Tourism Expo began on 25 October at the Walvis Bay Municipality and continued over the weekend, under the theme “Innovate, Integrate and Industrialise”.
The expo is aimed at disclosing resources, expertise and knowledge to create further sustainability and prosperity for the Erongo region specifically and Namibia in general. The event also served as a trade, exhibition and networking platform for a variety of businesses and establishments.
Hon. Neville Andre, Governor of the Erongo region, served as Patron of the expo. Emphasising the Integration aspect of the expo, he said that this is crucial in today's globalised world, as it allows us to tap into new markets, expand our reach, and create mutually beneficial partnerships. “To achieve successful integration, we must focus on removing barriers to trade such as tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and cumbersome customs procedures,” he said.
He added that the immense investment towards infrastructure in the region at the Port of Walvis Bay sets exemplary standards.
“The state-of-the-art container terminal at the Port of Walvis Bay was built on reclaimed land for N$4 billion and commissioned on 24 August 2019. “This container terminal now boasts the potential to increase Namibia's transit and transhipment container throughput by 750 000 per annum, setting us well on target to becoming the logistics hub for the SADC region and Africa's preferred gateway for trade to and from international markets.”
Strategic location
Furthermore, the region serves as one of two designated locations in the country for supporting exploration, development, and potential production operations in the green hydrogen and oil and gas sectors.
Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes, emphasised the town's strategic location in the country’s economic sector saying, “We are unique in the type of industries and markets we operate in. Economically, it is these events that make our town alive with many opportunities.”
He applauded the resilience of the Walvis Bay business community for persevering through severe economic challenges.
Through the expo, small and medium enterprises are given a platform for exhibiting products and services. This promotes and encourages public dialogue on challenges faced by the business fraternity as well as the communities. It also serves as an opportunity to promote the valuable assets of the region such as mining, tourism, fishing, marine and other resources, which allows sponsors to highlight and promote services offered in Namibia, SADC and the rest of the world.
Cliff Shikuambi, managing member of the Erongo Business and Tourism Expo, said that the Innovation aspect of the expo is key to unlocking new opportunities and driving growth. “By embracing new technologies, we can improve our processes, increase efficiency, and create new products and services,” he said.
Integration is essential for creating a cohesive and thriving community through smart partnerships with key stakeholders, while industrialization is critical for creating jobs, driving economic growth, and improving the quality of life for our citizens.
In addition to its annual setup, the tourism and hospitality sectors as well as the motor vehicle sector have joined the expo. An extensive tourism hall housed more than 10 tourism and hospitality enterprises, while Pupkewitz, Africa Commercial Vehicles and Novel Motor Company occupied the Auto House.
The expo is aimed at disclosing resources, expertise and knowledge to create further sustainability and prosperity for the Erongo region specifically and Namibia in general. The event also served as a trade, exhibition and networking platform for a variety of businesses and establishments.
Hon. Neville Andre, Governor of the Erongo region, served as Patron of the expo. Emphasising the Integration aspect of the expo, he said that this is crucial in today's globalised world, as it allows us to tap into new markets, expand our reach, and create mutually beneficial partnerships. “To achieve successful integration, we must focus on removing barriers to trade such as tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and cumbersome customs procedures,” he said.
He added that the immense investment towards infrastructure in the region at the Port of Walvis Bay sets exemplary standards.
“The state-of-the-art container terminal at the Port of Walvis Bay was built on reclaimed land for N$4 billion and commissioned on 24 August 2019. “This container terminal now boasts the potential to increase Namibia's transit and transhipment container throughput by 750 000 per annum, setting us well on target to becoming the logistics hub for the SADC region and Africa's preferred gateway for trade to and from international markets.”
Strategic location
Furthermore, the region serves as one of two designated locations in the country for supporting exploration, development, and potential production operations in the green hydrogen and oil and gas sectors.
Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes, emphasised the town's strategic location in the country’s economic sector saying, “We are unique in the type of industries and markets we operate in. Economically, it is these events that make our town alive with many opportunities.”
He applauded the resilience of the Walvis Bay business community for persevering through severe economic challenges.
Through the expo, small and medium enterprises are given a platform for exhibiting products and services. This promotes and encourages public dialogue on challenges faced by the business fraternity as well as the communities. It also serves as an opportunity to promote the valuable assets of the region such as mining, tourism, fishing, marine and other resources, which allows sponsors to highlight and promote services offered in Namibia, SADC and the rest of the world.
Cliff Shikuambi, managing member of the Erongo Business and Tourism Expo, said that the Innovation aspect of the expo is key to unlocking new opportunities and driving growth. “By embracing new technologies, we can improve our processes, increase efficiency, and create new products and services,” he said.
Integration is essential for creating a cohesive and thriving community through smart partnerships with key stakeholders, while industrialization is critical for creating jobs, driving economic growth, and improving the quality of life for our citizens.
In addition to its annual setup, the tourism and hospitality sectors as well as the motor vehicle sector have joined the expo. An extensive tourism hall housed more than 10 tourism and hospitality enterprises, while Pupkewitz, Africa Commercial Vehicles and Novel Motor Company occupied the Auto House.
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