Preparations for the coastal trade fair are in full swing, with more than 100 exhibitors expected to participate.

The newly introduced coastal trade fair, which is aimed at boosting local entrepreneurs and SMEs, will open its doors for four days at the heartbeat of Swakopmund's Mondesa Multi-purpose Centre, from June 25 to 29. 

After a year of meticulous planning, the event received approval in late April and promises to be a significant addition to the community's calendar. 
 
The Coastal Trade Fair organiser, Mary Shikongo, emphasised that the event is aimed at bringing the community together, saying that her main aim is to promote and uplift upcoming entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs.

Therefore, she calls on the public to support small business owners.

"We will be communicating with the SMEs in terms of joining or opening accounts with some of the institutions or just giving general information to the community and the SMEs present, and we have people from all 14 regions that will be selling their products. We also gave the arts and crafts people, the exhibitors that will be selling their crafts, their stalls for free, and we are also giving them free gazebos. By doing that, we just want to boost them so that they can market their products and get people to buy their products so that they can benefit from whatever income they make." 

Shikongo envisions the Coastal Trade Fair growing into an annual event starting in 2025.

Her wish is that the trade fair becomes the biggest and most enjoyed trade fair in Namibia, as it is hosted in the country's best town.