Namibian MSMEs to attend AB7 exhibition

  • 11 Months Ago - 2023-06-15 11:33:00
The Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) sector is vital to any nation as it aids in creating employment, poverty alleviation and economic growth.
So said Bank Windhoek’s Head of SME, Financial and Data Analytics, Bianca Janse van Vuuren when she announced that the bank would contribute N$100 000 for three Namibian Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to participate at the Africa's Big 7 (AB7) Trade Exhibition in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The event allows entrepreneurs to connect directly with buyers across Africa, enabling them to source products, develop new partnerships, and conclude export and import deals.
Shiwa’s Bakery, Talamo Food Namibia and Zadeva Investment, owned by Shiwomeho Kalla, Erikson Malwa and Eva Shitaatala respectively, are the MSMEs chosen to exhibit at the event, which will take place from Sunday, 18 June to Tuesday, 20 June 2023.
They said they are excited to showcase their products at an international and continental level. “Thanks to the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and Bank Windhoek, this initiative reinforces sustainable growth for all SMEs involved,” Kalla said.
The three MSMEs were selected from the NIPDB’s existing Know2Grow High Potential Pool (K2G HPP), a specialised programme developed to assist MSMEs with significant export potential. The NIPDB developed the programme to aid in scaling the operations of export-ready MSMEs with a high possibility of exporting their products.
NIPDB, as the coordinating entity, will host and showcase the selected Namibian MSMEs operating in the food and beverage sector at the Namibian Pavilion.
NIPDB's manager of stakeholders and communication, Shekutaamba Nepembe, said that his team always seeks ways to capacitate and empower MSMEs and benefit from multiple platforms such as Africa’s Big 7.
“These platforms provide our MSMEs access to global markets, expansion, and opportunities to network and find potential partners. Our products do not have to be limited to Namibian borders,” he said.