WALVIS BAY: The 2012 Namport Erongo Business and Tourism Expo was officially launched by the Governor of the Erongo Region, Cleophas Mutjavikua here yesterday.

The expo, formerly known as the Erongo Expo, will take place at the harbour town from 30 October until 03 November.

The event, which will include the Standard Bank Motor Show and, for the first time, exhibitors from the tourism sector, is expected to draw at least 15 000 visitors.

Speaking during the launching ceremony, Mutjavikua explained that the region has always been known as the tourism hub of the country and said it has been a major contributor to Namibia’s national economic growth.

The governor further explained that the change in name from the Erongo Expo to the Namport Erongo Business and Tourism Expo positions the event as a business trade fair, as opposed to just an ordinary trade fair.

Cookies made from mahangu flour are ready for the market, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry will facilitate the sale of five brands of cookies.

These five brands of cookies are mahangu crackers, mahangu cookies, mahangu biscuits, mahangu cookies with hazelnut, and mahangu oatmeal cookies.

They are on sale at some retailers in the country as from yesterday.

Agriculture, Water and Forestry Minister John Mutorwa launched the product yesterday in the capital.

He said as part of his ministry’s efforts to promote processing and value-addition to indigenous produce, the ministry has, in collaboration with the Namibian Agronomic Board, conducted scientific research and development in the first year when the product idea was founded and conceptualised in 2010.

The ministry further availed an industrial biscuit-making machine to Gobabis-based GB Mahangu Enterprises for use in the development as well as production of the mahangu cookies.