6 September 2007
The participation of Limpopo in the 2007 Annual Ongwendiva Trade Fair
heralded a new era in cementing the socioeconomic ties between Limpopo and the
Republic of Namibia and in particular, the people of the northern regions. It
is our strong view that this second participation in the Trade Fair represents
a quantum leap in our endeavour to attain regional integration as instructed by
the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS). Our relations with
Namibia and particularly its four northern regions complements and enhances the
resolve of our national government and member states of the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) to integrate economies and communities of the
region.
The Limpopo delegation has been humbled by the warm reception and gesture of
friendship by Namibians particularly the acknowledgement by President of the
Republic of Namibia, His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba who said on the
occasion of the official opening of the Trade Faire that, "I would like to
single out a strong delegation from the Limpopo Province of South Africa (SA)
who have joined us for the second successive year."
With a strong delegation of exhibitors and Small, Medium and Micro
Enterprises (SMMEs), the Department of Economic Development, Environment and
Tourism is proud to announce that Limpopo has successfully defended its title
as the Best International Exhibitor and Best Overall Winner of the Trade Faire
beating great countries of the world such as Ghana, Tanzania, Botswana, China,
Brazil, Japan, India, Finland and Indonesia, amongst others.
We are also pleased to announce the following achievements by our exhibitors
and SMMEs in terms of trade and investment promotion:
* Since our participation in the Trade Fair in 2006, a Limpopo based company
Tshivhase AgriDam has signed a deal to supply Namibia Dairy Products with 120
tons of bananas per month which translates into R2,5 million per annum. Based
on the business linkages for this year the company is negotiating a deal to
invest in a 200 hectare (ha) banana plantation project in northern
Namibia.
* Another local company Limburg has a contract to supply Voermeester of Namibia
with animal feeds. The company is also negotiating a deal to invest in a 200ha
citrus project in northern Namibia.
* The above two companies have collectively agreed to consider to kick start
their investment in northern Namibia with a 15ha vegetable project as a
preliminary investment.
* Some of the SMMEs have secured markets for their products such as pebble
stones and ceramics.
* Over R100 000 was generated by some of the SMMEs that were selling their
products during the Fair.
Furthermore, we wish to announce that the province will be hosting a
delegation from the Namibian Oshikoto Regional Council in October 2007 on an
exploratory mission to strengthen economic ties. Limpopo has been invited to
participate in the International Investor Conference to be held in
Windhoek-Namibia towards the end of October 2007 which is an initiative of the
South African and Namibia ministries of Trade and Industry. "We are confident
that these interactions have laid a solid basis for Limpopo and Namibia to
formalise their economic ties through a co-operation agreement which will
hopefully be concluded before the end of 2007," said MEC Collins Chabane.
Issued by the Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism,
Limpopo Provincial Government
6 September 2007
