Maria David
THE Ongwediva Trade Society on Thursday awarded the best exhibitors during the 23rd annual trade fair.
Among those awarded, MTC was crowned the overall winner of the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair (OATF) during the awards held at the showgrounds, while the Ongwediva Town Council walked away with the Best Thematic Award.
Some of the notable winners were Oshakati Premier Electric (OPE), the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, and the Swakopmund Municipality.
The awards were fully sponsored by FNB, with an amount of N$250,000 towards this year’s OATF award ceremony.
Speaking during the ceremony, Regional Manager Commercial for First National Bank (FNB) Veranus Shinyembah said they believe in supporting initiatives that drive innovation while respecting and honouring the traditions that have shaped the community.
Shinyembah indicated that this investment is more than just financial; it is an investment in the future of their industries, economy, and society.
“In the banking industry, tradition is embodied in the trust we have cultivated with our customers. It is reflected in the meticulous attention to detail, the commitment to ethical practices, and the long-standing relationships that are the bedrock of our operations,” he said.
He added that at FNB, they understand that the future of banking, especially in the SME business community, lies in their ability to innovate. Whether it’s through leveraging technology to create more accessible financial services or developing new products that are tailored to the needs of their diverse clientele, innovation is at the heart of everything they do.
Ongwediva Chief Executive Officer Damian Egumbo said that in the ever-competitive business environment, the level of innovation is a critical success factor that distinguishes success from failure.
“We are therefore delighted to see you at this conference, as this signals your resilience to embrace the concept of ‘innovation in business,’” he said.
He added that this sentiment equally applies to this event, which is one of the highlights of OATF.
The trophy awards sponsored by First National Bank (FNB) covered a range of best exhibits in various key sectors.
The award categories ranged from Small-Scale Enterprises, Textile and Clothing, Arts and Crafts, Beauty Products, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, International, Government Ministries, Regional and Local Authority, Educational Institutions, Energy Sector, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Automotive, Industrial, Banking Institutions, Non-Banking Financial Institutions, Best Corporate, Best Overall SME Winner, and Best Overall Winner of the OATF.
