WINDHOEK, Sept. 19 – Understanding the growth catalyst and developmental value that trades fairs and expos bring to the country’s local economy, Standard Bank increased its sponsorship investment budget to trade fairs and expos from approximately N$1.6-million during 2016 to N$1.7-million this year (2017). This is exactly a 6 percent increase year on year.
According to Standard Bank’s Acting Head of Marketing Sigrid Tjijorokisa, the Bank annually sponsors and participates in 90 percent of all trade fairs in the country within an available budget.
“As our mantra states: Namibia’s our home, we driver her growth, we firmly believe that as a reliable financial partner Standard Bank plays a very important role in growing local economies of various towns through our sponsorships towards trade fairs and expos in the country. Strategically, this links very well with our Government’s Harambee Prosperity Plan, National Development Plan 5 and Vision 2030 goals of realising Namibia’s economic industrialisation journey. We therefore do not see it as a mere sponsorship, but rather an investment in growing the economic hubs of various town in terms of business and enhancing local entrepreneurship,” said Tjijorokisa.
Such investments she states not only attract the much needed investors for economic growth and development, but ultimately leads to creating more job opportunities for local people and entrepreneurs who regularly participate in these annual events. Tjijorokisa adds that investments of this nature are highly needed for domestic growth during these challenging economic times the country is facing.
“We urge local entrepreneurs to be resilient during these times and look out for untapped opportunities to strengthen their businesses with a relevant financial partner. We value the already existing long term relationships we have nurtured with local and regional authorities throughout the years and strive to continue maintaining these mutually beneficial relations as we want to part and parcel of Namibia’s developmental journey,” added Tjijorokisa.
She states that while taking into cognisance that key clients and customers frequent the annual trades fairs and expos, these platforms are also an ideal platform for a customer to engage directly. “As a client centric bank and the preferred service provider of innovative banking solutions, we strive to take banking to the people during these trade fairs through our baking consultants, relationship managers, mobile ATM facilities and full banking facilities. This not only gives our clients the opportunity to get their banking services conveniently when they visit the trade fairs and expos, but also serves as a great networking platform for them to talk to us directly,” explained Tjijorokisa.
She advises that as the country faces tough economic times and recession, now more than ever should businesses and entrepreneurs make maximum use of exhibiting and trading platforms at trade fairs and expos primarily to engage, network and grow their businesses innovatively by thinking outside the box in order to withstand the challenging times that lie ahead. “Standard Bank remains a reliable partner to local authorities and local entrepreneurs alike and we look forward to jointly forge ahead to growing our country’s economic development and our country’s inhabitants, the banking populous and corporates alike. Let us continue to join hands in the journey of economic advancement. After all, in the words of His Excellency Dr Hage Geingob: No one should be left out of the Namibian house,” concluded Tjijorokisa. – NDN Staffer
