28 Jul 2015

North East District recently held its third trade show after being dormant for more than 10 years,

Speaking at the official opening of the three-day trade show in Masunga, the National Development Bank (NDB) relationship manager, Mr Tunee Chimbombi, said they supported the show in order to help lure potential investors to the North East.

He said they aspired to come into the partnership in order to help the North East District achieve its dreams.

Mr Chimbombi stated that since Ghanzi was well known for its beef production, the North East District show committee members and local authorities should also come up with something unique that they too could be identified with.

He stated that the district was looking forward to developing the show ground plot by constructing permanent structures such as stalls, warehouses and even conference rooms.

He said the aim was to convert the show ground into a district trade centre where the land will be utilised throughout the year and not only during the show.

He said that they also intended to support businesses and entrepreneurs in the region, indicating that they had loans for businesses across all industries from agriculture to commerce, tourism and manufacturing .

For his part Kgosi Thabo Maruje III of Masunga indicated that trade shows were important more so that they helped sell rural communities as well as brand them.

He said tthe ability to be seen and be heard by prospective clients was one of the greatest needs of any small business that was why participating in trade shows was important.

He also applauded committee members for their good work in helping small businesses and farmers.

Trade shows encouraged new or advanced agricultural practices as well as empower business operators.

They also encouraged entrepreneurship and innovation.

Motor Vehicle Accident fund (MVA), Francistown branch manager, Mr Kite Nkala, advised North East District show committee to benchmark from other district shows, such as Tsabong, Bobonong and Ghanzi in order to see how they could develop theirs.

He said MVA would keep on supporting trade fairs across the country.

The chairperson of the show committee Mr Andrew Balule stated that since they were facing financial challenges they intended to do fund raising activities such as horse race competitions, marathons, ball sports competitions, cycling competition and others and that the competitors will be the pensioners from the North East district.

Furthermore, he said their aim was to support farmers and small business operators in their district.

He also asked for donations and sponsors from companies in order to make their dream come true. Ends