WINDHOEK: Chair of the Anglo American Chairman’s Fund, Clem Sunter says the only way to fight unemployment is to promote small and medium enterprises (SME) economy in the country.
Sunter was speaking at the opening of the three-day Namibia SME Expo underway in the capital on Wednesday.
He encouraged Namibia banking institutions to give more emphasises to SME economy by promoting SME development in the country.
Sunter also encouraged SMEs to run business looking at how products are relevant to the consumer and try to change their business strategies to suit the market.
“You must be innovative, competitive and offer value for money,” Sunter encouraging Namibian SMEs
He further urged them to market their products international and exchange business strategies and ideas with other SME in the African continent.
Sunter said tourism and agriculture are the big business in the world that contribute to the development of the continent.
Speaking at the same occasion, Bank Windhoek Executive officer for Marketing and Corporate Communication Services Marlize Horn said the SME sector has become a key driver of economic growth, wealth creation and employment.
“We must strive to achieve the came in Namibia,” she said.
Horn added that the bank is committed to vision set out in the Namibia Financial Sector Strategy to improve access to financial products and services and thereby contribute to the economic growth and reduction of poverty and inequality.
The three-day Namibia SME Expo organised by SME compete, serves to introduce trade shows as a marketing tool, to emerging or novice entrepreneurs including to those who wish to enter the export arena that might include accessing the export promotion and marketing programmes of Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The first ever Namibia SME Expo started in 2006 with 29 SMEs showcasing the product while this year attracted about 85 exhibitors.
This year’s Expo sponsored by Bank Windhoek, First National Bank (FNB) Namibia and Development Bank of Namibia.
The Expo ends on Friday.