The Africa Import/Export Expo was held in South Africa at the Gallagher Estate, Midrand, from 24-27 May 2006. The Namibian stand was sponsored by the Commercial Office based at the Namibian High Commission in the Republic of South Africa. Ms Bonaventura April (the Commercial Counsellor) invited Team Namibia to take part in this Expo in an attempt to promote locally manufactured products and services.

It was in deed worth participating as business contacts and leads were established for some products displayed at the stand. Namibian products on display drew a reasonable number of visitors who disappointingly showed more interest in exporting to Namibia as opposed to investment. However, the Commercial Counsellor called upon Team Namibia to work closely with the Commercial Office to change these trade ideas into investment interests in order to increase export flows of Namibian products to South Africa to balance the extremely skew trade relationship between the two countries.

Member products, companies and services that received a lot of attention included Peralin Paints, Etameko Marketing and Sales, Space Magazine, Bush Blok (people were very impressed with this product), Plastic Packaging, Polyoak Packaging Namibia, the fashion and agricultural industries as well as mining. In addition, we clearly saw that Namibia Breweries’ (a member of Team Namibia) efforts to establish the Windhoek Lager brand in the South African market has paid off, as evident from the comments made by enthusiastic visitors. South Africans indeed are passionate about Windhoek Lager and sing its praises continuously.

Interest shown in Namibia as a tourist destination was average as most visitors had already been to Namibia either on holiday or for business purposes. Others, who did query about Namibia as a holiday destination, were mostly interested in what was available to do in our country, should they decide to visit. This shows that there is a lack of information in the South African market with regards to the potential of Namibia as a tourist destination. Thus, an opportunity for the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, through the Namibia Tourism Board to apply concentrated efforts to vigorously market Namibia as a tourist destination in South Africa, is evident.

Ms April has a list of all requests and queries in writing and will be forwarding contact details of members whose product or service drew attention for further networking or possible business opportunities.