Arandis — THE registration process for the Arandis Investment Conference and the Mineral, Mining and Energy Expo scheduled for April was officially launched on Monday.

The event aims to promote the town as a centre of business growth, and to maximise its investment opportunities. It also hopes to establish Arandis as a potential industrial hub.

Local and international investors are urged to register well in advance to ensure space to participate at the event.

The corporate services manager at the Arandis town council, Aunie Gebhard, said registration forms are available at the council's offices.

SMEs that feel they cannot afford the registration to participate in the expo can contact Gebhard at the Arandis council.

"We understand how important SMEs are in Namibia and Arandis's economy, and we will do what we can to assist them in using this opportunity to network with potential investor partners," she said.

It is hoped that the conference will attract more than 150 participants and over 90 exhibitors. It will be held from April 25 to 27 at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT). The conference will be over the first two days, while the expo will span the entire three days.

Previous conferences of this nature were considered so successful that there is already tangible development taking place in this small town situated between Usakos and Swakopmund. Some of these developments include the construction of a N$30 million three-storey hotel, an increase in industrial development and a shopping mall and health centre.

An economic feasibility study in partnership with the Arandis council, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Rössing Foundation is also under way.

"Is is evident that investors are confident that it is feasible to conduct business in Arandis, and I am convinced that come April more investors will grab the opportunities that will be presented to them at the coming conference and expo," Arandis Mayor Daniel Muhuura said.

According to him Arandis is on the path of strengthening its local economy by not only establishing business partnerships across the country, but also by ensuring that a conducive environment is created to promote investment.

"Our main mandate is to create equal opportunities with major economic giants, the corporate world, the public sector as well as the private sector, and by so doing ensuring that the people at the grassroots can also benefit from these partnerships," he said.