Staff Reporter
THE Deputy Minister of Industrialization, Verna Sinimbo, has encouraged emerging and established Namibian entrepreneurs to participate in the upcoming Start-up Southern African Development Community (SADC) Conference and Exhibition.
The conference and exhibition will take place from 3 to 4 November in Swakopmund.
Sinimbo explained that the forum, which will be the first of its kind in Namibia, is designed to build a concrete start-up ecosystem and to promote economic growth amongst entrepreneurs from SADC member states.
The event is expected to attract about 150 to 200 delegates from Africa, and will allow SADC entrepreneurs to showcase their products.
“With this initiative, we see this as an opportunity to facilitate and strengthen the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) platform in the region and indeed on the continent and build long-lasting sustainable business relationships,” Sinimbo said.
She added that the central features of this initiative are aimed at highlighting the importance of cross border trade among member states.
Besides this, Sinimbo explained, the event also aims to create a platform to discuss challenges affecting entrepreneurs in SADC and to identify commercial opportunities for these entrepreneurs. It also intends to create a network platform for entrepreneurs and to develop a database for stakeholders who are critical for SADC’s economic development, she added.
“I encourage Namibian Entrepreneurs and business people alike to take part in this Start-Up SADC Conference & Exhibition 2022, as it will certainly add value to their entrepreneurial journey,” she said.
