The 15th Erongo Business and Tourism Expo hopes to contribute to the revival of the tourism industry at Walvis Bay following the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on local businesses.

This year's focus is on innovation, integration, and industrialization.

At the official opening, the Walvis Bay Mayor indicated that the council celebrates events such as the expo because SMEs get a platform to exhibit products and services.

Trevino Forbes added that the event promotes and encourages public dialogue on challenges faced by businesses and how to overcome them.

"Economically, it is these events that make our town alive with many more opportunities. Let's promote and develop domestic tourism with so much passion that it will propel international tourism and investment opportunities. I would take this opportunity to encourage local authorities to do our best to make our towns and cities conducive to investment, and by so doing, we will facilitate job creation and SME growth."

The patron of the expo, Erongo Governor Neville Andre, expanded on this year's theme and highlighted the need to create innovation hubs that nurture entrepreneurial talent.

"To foster innovation, we must create an environment that encourages experimentation and rewards bold ideas. This means investing in research and development, supporting startups and entrepreneurs, and promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and government. By nurturing a culture of innovation, investing in digital infrastructure remains crucial for fostering innovation in today's digital age. Simply providing reliable internet connectivity can enable businesses to leverage technology for improved efficiency and competitiveness.

Apart from local exhibitors displaying their products and services, the four-day expo includes entertainment and a business and tourism symposium.