Windhoek - Limpopo's participation in the 2007 Annual Ongwendiva Trade Fair heralded a new era in cementing the socio-economic ties between the province and Namibia and in particular, the people of the northern regions.

"It is our strong view that this second participation in the Trade Fair represents a quantum leap in our endeavour to attain regional integration as instructed by the Provincial Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS)," said the provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism on Thursday.

"We are confident that these interactions have laid a solid basis for Limpopo and Namibia to formalise their economic ties through a cooperation agreement which will hopefully be concluded before the end of 2007," said MEC Collins Chabane.

With a strong delegation of exhibitors and small, micro to medium enterprises (SMMEs), the department said Limpopo successfully defended its title as the Best International Exhibitor and Best Overall Winner of the Trade Faire.

This put the province ahead of countries such as Ghana, Tanzania, Botswana, China, Brazil, Japan, India, Finland and Indonesia, amongst others.

Since taking part in the Trade Fair in 2006, a Limpopo based company Tshivhase AgriDam has signed a deal to supply Namibia Dairy Products with 120 tons of bananas per month which translates into R2.5 million per annum.

Based on the business linkages for this year the company is negotiating a deal to invest in a 200 hectare banana plantation project in northern Namibia.

Another local company Limburg has a contract to supply Voermeester of Namibia with animal feeds. The company is also negotiating a deal to invest in a 200ha citrus project in northern Namibia.

The above two companies have collectively agreed to consider to kick start their investment in northern Namibia with a 15ha vegetable project as a preliminary investment.

Some of the SMMEs have secured markets for their products such as pebble stones and ceramics.

Over R100 000 was generated by some of the SMMEs that were selling their products during the Fair.

In addition, Limpopo will be hosting a delegation from the Namibian Oshikoto Regional Council in October 2007 on an exploratory mission to strengthen economic ties.

Limpopo has been invited to participate in the International Investor Conference to be held in Windhoek-Namibia towards the end of October 2007 which is an initiative of the South African and Namibian ministries of Trade and Industry. - BuaNews