Keetmanshoop is full of opportunity, town mayor McDonald Hanse says.
He was speaking at the Keetmanshoop Agriculture, Industrial and Tourism Expo 2024 on Friday, where the show hosted an investment day for the government, industrial leaders, entrepreneurs and aspiring business people.
It was held under the theme ‘Unlocking Keetmanshoop’s Potential: Pathways to Sustainable Growth and Investment’.
Hanse said the town is strategically located as the gateway to Namibia’s southern towns and beyond.
“This day is to serve as a unique platform for business minds, entrepreneurs and industrial leaders interested in exploring various investment opportunities in the agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, infrastructure and property development sectors to build houses and modern amenities.
“I firmly believe by working together we can unlock new avenues for economic growth, foster development and create jobs that will benefit both the community and investors,” he said.
Entities such as the Development Bank of Namibia, Hyphen Hydrogen Energy Namibia and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board made presentations.
Hanse said the municipality remains open to public-private dialogue, because it believes collaboration is key to achieving a shared vision for economic opulence.
The expo’s patron, Bennie Diergaardt, said the primary objective of hosting the expo is to create opportunities that facilitate trade and business ties between indigenous market entrepreneurs within and beyond the //Kharas and Hardap regions, and international businesses and personalities.
Diergaardt said the expo sets the stage to reach its full potential in playing a pivotal role in socio-economic development, attracting investments to the town and region, job creation and sharing technological innovation in agriculture.
“This expo remains a key driver for industrial development and the agricultural sector while boosting the local economy,” he said.
The expo attracted more than 160 exhibitors comprising large corporations, small-scale farmers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Expo vice president Karl-Heinz Burger said the biggest attractions this year were the goat show and the Swakara pelt competition.
“In addition to the livestock and agricultural focus, the show featured an investment conference, a music bash and fun activities for children,” he said.
This was the 68th expo since the show started in 1956.
The organisers took advantage of the cross-border twin agreement between the //Kharas region and the Northern Cape province, and managed to bring on board some businesses from the Northern Cape for this year’s event.
Expo president Charles Jossob said the collaboration aims to explore joint trade fairs and festivals.
“The growing commitment of the public sector and business as well as community members gives us confidence in knowing that the expo is making a difference in the lives of not only big corporations, but small entrepreneurs as well,” he said.
The annual expo is hosted by the Keetmanshoop Show Society in collaboration with the Keetmanshoop municipality, the //Kharas Regional Council and the Office of the //Kharas Governor.
Standard Bank Namibia is the main sponsor.
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