By Dominic Sikopo
The Ministry of Trade and Industry recently donated equipment to up and coming small and medium enterprises (Smes) in the town of Katima Mulilo. This was in the wake of the Ministries efforts in trying to combat unemployment and alleviate poverty and promote employment creation and entrepreneurship in the country. The handing over of the equipment took place at Town Council Hall in Boma where The Trade and Minister Hon Dr. Hage Geingob delivered the keynote speech. 
The Minister gave a brief history of the project saying that it came about when his Ministry decided to initiate an open-day policy with people of the community where they give chance to the people to talk to them and hear their plights and grievances “Myself as the Minister along with my Deputy decided to have this open-day initiative with ordinary people, it was first started in Windhoek and it turned out to be a resounding success so we then decided that the project would taken to all the thirteen region”, explained Dr. Geingob.The Minister further revealed that the project has since been taken to all the other regions and Caprivi region is the last of the regions to benefit from the program.
The Minister went to say that it was discovered from the project that many people had ideas to start their own businesses but that their business ideas were hampered due to the lack of funds to purchase equipment to start their businesses. The Ministry advised the people to put the needs in writing in the form of proposals as to what type of equipment they needed and the amount those equipment would be, “This Project has proved to be very competitive and popular as the ministry has received thousands of applications and although not all applications were successful, about 3000 jobs have so far been created as a result of initiating the project and about forty million Namibia dollars has been spent on the project”, revealed the Minister. 
The Minister concluded by reminding the beneficiaries that although the equipment is for them to use for their businesses, they still remain the property of the government and that they should use the equipment properly and to take care of them he further added that inspectors from his Ministry will be sent in six months time to see how the equipment is being utilised.
After he delivered his speech, the Minister then handed over the equipment to all the individual recipients where they were also given their letters that proved that their applications had been successful. Among those who benefited from the project is Mr. Albert Sitali(Buffalo Construction) who received Construction Equipment, Mr. George Simataa(Oshana Rest Camp) who received a Freezer Room Ms. Eris Masule(Mama Dry Cleaner) received Dry cleaning equipment, Mr Brilliant Musiwa(Kingfisher Bakery and Vegetable CC) received Bakery equipment, Mr. Sylvester Majakube(Uyoya Building Contractors) received Carpentry equipment and Mr. Solomon Mutau(Goldman Computer Solutions) received Printing equipment.
The Grand total of the amount that was spent on the project in the caprivi region amounted to N$ 1, 541, 154 00.
The event was attended by the local authority Councillors, members of the community and The Katima Mulilo Town Council CEO Mr. Charles Nawa among others.
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