Private sector urged to participate in Intra-African Trade Fair

WINDHOEK, 14 JUL  – The Namibian private sector has been urged to participate in the first Intra-African Trade Fair in Cairo, Egypt in December this year.
The trade fair is being organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the African Union and the Government of Egypt, to promote intra-Africa trade.

It will take place from 11 to 17 December.
Deputy Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced this in the National Assembly on Thursday.

“The trade fair will also be an opportunity for the Namibian private sector to engage other stakeholders on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” she said.
The AU established the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) Business Forum as a regular platform for dialogue between the African private sector and African policy makers to facilitate business-to-business networking.

Delivering a statement on the conclusion of the Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly which took place in Nouakchott, Mauritania on 01 and 02 July 2018, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the ACFTA would remain a pipe dream if the private sector was not at the forefront of its implementation.
The AU and Afro-Champions Initiative have teamed up to sensitise and engage the private sector on the business opportunities that come with the ACFTA.
The sensitisation campaign will soon be carried out in southern Africa, Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
NAMPA