The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, has called on small and medium-sized businesses to expand their networks to enhance their business opportunities and grow them.

The maiden Okahao Summer Festival, which is being hosted at the town's trade fair grounds, attracted 66 exhibitors from across the country.

The festival provides a venue for small and medium-sized businesses and corporations to showcase their products and services, as well as an opportunity for them to learn from one another.

ICT Deputy Minister Emma Theofelus, who officially opened the festival, challenged SMEs to start capitalizing on business partnerships and building empires that can last beyond their own existence.

"In my own experience, almost every single opportunity that has come my way has been through networking. You need to learn how to network in order to bring opportunities your way. What you do with the opportunities after that is up to you. You can only attract opportunities if they come your way through networking. You cannot be on an island and live on your own and expect new and exciting things to come your way. This is the perfect opportunity at a place like this to network." 

The festival's founder, January Ivula, says apart from marketing and selling goods and services, there is also a lineup of sporting activities.

Residents of Okahao and visitors alike will be treated to local cuisine, arts, and crafts.
 
The festival, which kicked off last week, is expected to end this Friday.