Consumer Fair targets 450 exhibitors
Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday July 16, 2014 10:13
Fairgrounds Holdings yesterday stated that the annual Gaborone show would start on August 25.
“We recorded a growth of four percent on the number of exhibitors and stall sales when compared to last year’s with a total target of 500 stalls, 450 exhibitors, 25 local manufacturers and 24 foreign exhibitors from 10 participating countries,” Fairgrounds chief executive officer, Michael Montshiwa said.
Montshiwa said they have already sold 500 stalls to 430 exhibitors and the sale is still ongoing.
He noted that this consumer fair is aimed at promoting trade between local and foreign exhibitors as well as providing opportunities for economic diversification.
The Consumer Fair, in its ninth year, is regarded as a business window prospect, which could lead to entrepreneurial opportunities and job creation to further boost government’s efforts to diversify the economy.
“This year we have new partners on board, one of them is the introduction of the four by four driver training and testing which will be coordinated by the Tsela Advanced Travel Training. Off-road fanatics will be treated to a week of excitement as they get to test-drive it on obstacle and course road whilst enjoying off road training,” he said.
Botswana Musicians Union (BOMU) will also have an entertainment hub where upcoming artists will be accorded an opportunity to perform as a way of promoting them.
InnerAura together with Fairground Holdings will also conduct the fashion show, which is expected to add a touch of lifestyle, fashion, colour and glamour to the fair.
Montshiwa added that they have partnered with The Botswana Red Cross Society where they will pilot their new project, ‘restoring family links’. Children will be given tags with parents’ mobile numbers at the gate for easy tracing if they get lost.
The seven days event, which will run from August 25 to 31, will be held under the same slogan of last year, ‘shop, discover and explore’.
The Minister of Environment Wildlife and Tourism Tshekedi Khama is expected to deliver the keynote address at the Prize Giving Ceremony.
The fair will attract participants from South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, Namibia, Lesotho, Nigeria, Swaziland, China as well as Japan.