Namibia Small Businesses at tourism expo

STAFF REPORTER

THE four daylong event that showcases Namibia as a premier tourism destination kicks-off on May 29  to June 1, at the Windhoek Showground.

Namibia Tourism Expo organizer, Democratic Media Holdings (DMH) and local social entrepreneurship firm, SMEs Compete, have joined to place the spotlight on Namibia’s small and medium enterprise (SME) sector at this year’s edition of the exposition.

 “Resulting from our presence at the tourism expo over the past six years we know that hotels, lodges and tour operators around the country are willing to outsource or sub-contract non-core activity to SMEs,” says Mr.Danny Meyer the co-founder and a Director of SMEs Compete.

“Frequently they don’t know how to reach the owners of small enterprises or make a connection and this is where we come in,” adds Meyer.

SMEs Compete’s aim is to introduce established tourism and hospitality sector players, to potential SME suppliers. In this way to help hospitality and tourism sectors firms identify potential SME business partners with whom they can enter into supply arrangements for goods and services.

“This is why it is so important for us to be present at the tourism expo. It provides a perfect opportunity to facilitate introductions and to offer a business matchmaking service,” adds Mr. Meyer.

In addition to running an SME sector information and introductory service at the expo, four small firms operating in the tourism sector as well as two visual artists have been allocated space on SMEs Compete’s stand.

A private sector initiative that compliments enterprise and entrepreneurial development support programmes run by government ministries and tertiary educational institutions, SMEs Compete was founded seven years ago. The firm operates four offices around the country in Windhoek, Luderitz, Ongwediva and Walvis Bay.

SMEs Compete derives its funding from Namibia’s corporate sector. Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX) listed banking group, First National Bank (FNB), was an initial funder and remains a significant contributor.

Other private sector firms routinely provide support. For example over the past seven years media group DMH has annually allocated a stand at the tourism expo to SMEs Compete.