||Kharas Governor Dawid Gertze has called for a five- development programme to turn the annual Keetmanshoop Agriculture, Industrial and Tourism Expo (KAITE) into a stronger driver of investment, business growth and job creation.
Gertze made these calls at the opening ceremony in Keetmanshoop on Tuesday.
Established in 1956 as the Keetmanshoop Show, it developed into the Keetmanshoop Agriculture, Industrial and Tourism Expo and has for seven decades brought together businesses, farmers, entrepreneurs and other exhibitors to showcase their products and services.
As the Expo celebrates its 70th edition, Governor Gertze has encouraged the organisers, together with private institutions and the ||Kharas regional council, for a five-year development programme to strengthen the expo's contribution to economic growth.
He said the programme should focus on five key areas, which are investment promotion and business partnership, agriculture innovation and climate resilience, collaboration between communal and commercial farmers, tourism and industrial development and market access and value addition.
"By the 75th anniversary of KAITE, we should be able to demonstrate tangible progress arising from the opportunities created from this platform. Let the next five years mark a deliberate transition from showcasing economic potential to realising economic potential, and that is the standard we need to measure our collective ambition."
The first citizen, Mayor Emrico Blaauw, has commended the KAITE organisers.
"Your commitment has enabled us to continue hosting this expo year after year, with each edition bringing new experiences, improvements and opportunities. You kept the ship sailing even though the water was tough on behalf of the Keetmanshoop council and my community. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every committee member, every volunteer, every sponsor, every exhibitor and every individual who made this expo possible."
The Chairperson of the Organising Team, Charles Jossob, has paid tribute to the pioneers who established this event that belongs to the entire community of Keetmanshoop.
"We recognise the success of KAITE did not happen overnight; it is the result of years of hard work, sacrifices, cooperation and a shared belief that our region has the potential to grow and prosper as the great ||Kharas region so thank you for building a legacy that belongs to all of us: OUT
The Expo will run until Saturday.