Rundu — The Kavango Trade Fair officially commenced on Wednesday, an occasion which the Governor of the region, Maurus Nekaro, took to encourage business people to learn new technologies and build lasting business contacts to boost domestic, regional and international trade.

The Governor of the Cuando Cubango Province in southern Angola, Francisco Lopes Carneiro, also attended the opening ceremony.

During the opening ceremony, Nekaro indicated that government has remained focused on maintaining the economy on the path of sustained growth, while distributing the benefits widely across Namibia.

"I hold this view that political and economic stability in this country will forever depend on our mutual recognition of the need for seamless trade and in the deepening of our respective hard won freedom and democracy," said Nekaro for the benefit of his esteemed Angolan counterpart.

He made it clear that the future of trade relations does not depend on leader-to-leader contacts, but more on people-to-people interactions.

Nekaro said the trade fair presents a platform where people can take time to know one another, while at the same time also exchanging business and cultural contacts, beyond what individual leaders can do.

In his remarks, the Cuando Cubango governor Carneiro said he wants to see more collaboration between the Namibian and Angolan governments to ensure that more crossing points are constructed along the Kavango River. "Our governments should make this a reality to strengthen our social relationship. We must also start organising events of this kind which include both our countries."

Currently in its 15th year, this year about 135 exhibitors are taking part in the trade fair.

With the trade fair organisers forced to host the weeklong fair at different venues on a yearly basis, a permanent trade centre is currently under construction next to the Rundu Sports Complex. The new centre is expected to be complete in time for next year's trade fair.