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5th Arandis Expo this weekend

Arandis is described as the uranium capital of the world due to the fact that it is located 15km away from the the world’s largest open-pit uranium mine, the Rössing Uranium Mine.
Founded as a mining dormitory town in the 1970s, Arandis has demonstrated ability to diversify its local economy said Danny Meyer, director of SMEs Compete referring to garment making which has helped spawn several successful enterprises.
Over the past years the town received a boost from the opening of new mines in the Erongo region, but this driver of economic growth has slowed as a result of the decline in the uranium price on the world market.
Meyer said that with the diversification on income and means of earning a livelihood, this sort of impact will not be felt as harshly by the local community as in the past when there has been a similar downturn. He said that, “In a modest way SMEs Compete has made a contribution. With funding support of  First National Bank and other non-mining Namibian corporates, SMEs Compete provides business growth support to entrepreneurs in towns of the Erongo Region, from the firm’s branch in Walvis Bay.”
Held annually on the last weekend in October, for five years in a row now, the event has according to  Meyer grown in stature.
“What started as a modest expo in a tent pitched on the grounds of a local restaurant in 2008, is now a highlight of the town’s annual business calendar.”
The Arandis Expo takes place 26 and 27 October in the Arandis Town Hall where local small and medium enterprises will again be afforded an opportunity to showcase their products and services to visitors over the two days.
At this year’s event, SMEs from as far as Oshakati and Windhoek will also be exhibiting their goods and services. Products that will be on display include garments for males, females and children, leather goods including footwear, beauty products, knitwear, ICT services, cleaning products and a range of locally produced foodstuff.
SMEs Compete was founded by Claudine Mouton, Collin Gaochab and Danny Meyer in 2006. It has  four branches in Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Ongwediva and Lüderitz.

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