Your current location:HOME >travel >Feature: Namibian city market bolsters local product commerce 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 15:40:49 Source: Internet compilationEdit:travel
Vendors exhibit and sell local products at the Village Sunday Market Day in Windhoek, Namibia, on Ap
Vendors exhibit and sell local products at the Village Sunday Market Day in Windhoek, Namibia, on April 14, 2024. The Village Sunday Market Day in Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is creating a trade space for local products and vendors to thrive and boost their businesses. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)
WINDHOEK, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Village Sunday Market Day in Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is creating a trade space for local products and vendors to thrive and boost their businesses.
The market features diverse local goods, including cosmetics, arts, health, food, fashion, home decor, and music.
"The market serves as a catalyst for economic development through trade promotion," said Alain Seha of agricultural training firm Urban Eden, who established the market in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The focus was to revive struggling local commerce affected by shop closures and disruptions in the supply chain due to the pandemic.
"During COVID, there were many restrictions, and the markets fell apart. I saw an opportunity and started the Sunday local market in my driveway at home with six vendors for free," he said Sunday.
What started with just six vendors in Seha's driveway has now grown to accommodate up to 50 vendors at bigger premises.
"What makes it unique is that the market strictly features locally made products to enhance the local trade in Namibia and promote cultural diversity," he said, adding that the move aimed to prioritize health-conscious and organic products to promote overall well-being in the southern African nation.
According to Seha, vendors register to occupy space at the market and contribute 10 percent of their proceeds to corporate social responsibility, reinvested into the market's logistical needs. In turn, charity organizations are offered free space on market days.
Meanwhile, the weekly market has become a thriving hub for trade, with vendors experiencing positive growth and impact on their businesses.
Namupa Nengola, chief executive officer of Pure Marula by Taneta, which manufactures organic health and beauty products, has been a vendor in the market since its inception and has witnessed the benefits of increased networking and sales.
"Beyond financial gains, the market has also helped raise awareness about our brand, popular marula oil, and fostered a sense of community among vendors and customers alike," she said.
Gloria Simon, the owner of a catering and pepper sauce enterprise, said that the market came when she lacked access to platforms for marketing her business. Today, she credits it for enhancing her business skills and customer relations.
"Each market day has increased client interaction and improved marketing strategies, resulting in self-confidence and better sales," Simon said.
The market also attracts shoppers from afar, popular amongst tourists. This, according to Nengola, aids her efforts to expand and export products to the Asian market, in addition to current shipments to the United States and Europe.
Despite the progress made, some challenges remain. According to Seha, one key obstacle is attracting a diverse range of vendors to cater to the public's needs. "This is seen as a crucial step in the market's growth," he said.
According to Seha, the initiative hopes to attract vendors with high demand and quality products to establish the market as a premier destination in Windhoek to aid the country's economic growth. In its economic outlook released in April this year, the Bank of Namibia projects a slowdown in the country's economy for 2024, followed by a modest improvement in 2025.
"We achieve this with a sustainability approach rooted in honesty, ethical business practices, and robust marketing strategies," he said.
The Minister of Trade and Industrialization Lucia Iipumbu said that markets like this play a crucial role in supporting the Namibian government's Growth at Home Strategy which aims to drive economic growth by diversifying economy and strengthening the capacity of micro, small, and medium enterprises to supply goods and services to both domestic and export markets. ■
A vendor stands at her stall at the Village Sunday Market Day in Windhoek, Namibia, on April 14, 2024. The Village Sunday Market Day in Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is creating a trade space for local products and vendors to thrive and boost their businesses. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)
Vendors exhibit and sell local products at the Village Sunday Market Day in Windhoek, Namibia, on April 14, 2024. The Village Sunday Market Day in Windhoek, Namibia's capital, is creating a trade space for local products and vendors to thrive and boost their businesses. (Photo by Ndalimpinga Iita/Xinhua)
Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas2024-05-21 15:36
Supreme Court of U.S. Michigan keeps Trump on 2024 primary ballot2024-05-21 15:26
Navarro has 2 goals, 1 assists, Steffen has 5 saves; Rapids beat Earthquakes 32024-05-21 15:21
Supreme Court of U.S. Michigan keeps Trump on 2024 primary ballot2024-05-21 14:58
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says2024-05-21 14:54
Navarro has 2 goals, 1 assists, Steffen has 5 saves; Rapids beat Earthquakes 32024-05-21 14:47
Strike takes place in Jordan to support Palestinian people in Gaza2024-05-21 14:44
World leaders must break deadly cycle of global warming at COP28 climate conference, warns UN chief2024-05-21 14:24
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form2024-05-21 13:41
China bolsters online consumer protection with new regulations2024-05-21 13:22
Bella Hadid goes braless in a thigh2024-05-21 15:21
China's Ningbo2024-05-21 15:19
Brad Marchand caps Bruins' four2024-05-21 15:14
Cambodian PM to attend 4th Lancang2024-05-21 15:11
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit2024-05-21 14:32
U.S. dollar's power reaches tipping point, says U.S. writer2024-05-21 14:08
How to get rid of NYC rats without brutality? Birth control is one idea2024-05-21 13:39
Palestinian president refuses Israel's plans to occupy parts of Gaza2024-05-21 13:31
A warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest was requested. But no decision was made about whether to issue it2024-05-21 13:29
Tucker, Altuve combine for 5 RBIs as Astros use big 7th inning to down Rangers, 92024-05-21 13:05