NAMIBIA TRADE NETWORK

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

Multi-media platform network promoting trade and investment

Namibia’s celebration of its 30th year of independence on 21 March was a cause for another celebration – the 30 th anniversary of the Namibia Trade Network.

Namibia’s independence created numerous opportunities for local and international investments in the country, and Venture Publications Founder (as it was then known), Paul van Schalkwyk, identified the need for an authoritative publication that would provide up-to-date information on the various sectors of the country’s economy. From its very first edition, the Namibia Trade Directory enjoyed the endorsement of the Trade Ministry – a relationship that has continued to this very day. It is also in a partnership with the Namibia Investment Board (previously the Namibia Investment Centre) and it is an associate member of the Namibian Manufacturers Association which represents the country’s manufacturing industry.

To stay abreast of how readers access, consume and distribute information, the Namibia Trade Directory has evolved over the years into the Namibia Trade Network (NTN) – a multi-media networking platform promoting and encouraging sustainable local and foreign investment in the country. Its objectives are to:

• Promote sustainable local and foreign investment

• Encourage business relationships

• Create business opportunities

• Seek potential partners for ventures

• Form a network of business professionals and traderelated information

• Foster support and cooperation between the public and private sectors

NTN provides a one-stop-shop for information on trade and business of all economic sectors and industries in Namibia and serves as a networking platform for businesses, organisations and professionals. NTN continuously strives to build strong relationships with the government ministries and industry associations.

The Namibia Trade Network’s annual publication is available in a print version, as well as in ebook format on one of the leading online publishing platforms. https://issuu.com/ travelnewsnamibia/docs/ntd_2020_issuu.

Each year, the publication focuses on a specific theme which as far as possible ties in with the editorial. The theme for the 2020/21 edition is Business Ecosystems – a strategic planning concept which is steadily gaining more popularity.

It provides in-depth coverage of all industries and sectors of the Namibian economy, public and private, as well as state-owned enterprises: Advertising and Media, Agriculture, Business and Public Services, Group Companies, Education, Finance, Fishing, ICT, Manufacturing, Mining and Energy, Tourism, Transport and Logistics.

The publication is used by the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade and the Namibia Investment Board, as well as commercial councillors at high commissions and embassies abroad to promote Namibia as an attractive and safe investment destination. It is also distributed to clients and selected local businesses at local conferences, trade fairs, expos and events hosted by the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade, other government ministries and the Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The publication provides clients an opportunity to promote their products and services to a targeted readership. Over the years, NTN has enjoyed the support of many companies, including such as the FP du Toit Group that has been a loyal advertiser since the very first edition.

NTN WEBSITE

In addition to exposure in the printed and ebook versions of the NTN, advertisers also benefit from a customised company profile page on the NTN website. It features information such as the client’s business overview, corporate social responsibility (CSR) profile, contact details and a direct link to the client’s website.

The NTN website also provides comprehensive coverage of Namibian businesses and trade with up-to-date information on:

• Government and government ministries

• Private and public service institutions

• Business and professional organisations

• Diplomatic missions

• State-owned enterprises

• Investment promotion

• Economic articles and trade-related information

• The latest business news

• Vital contacts

NTN clients are also featured on social media platforms such as Facebook and Linkedin – the leading professional business network. Creating, populating and managing clients’ social media platforms are other services that are provided.

The network’s Economic Pulse, a bimonthly e-publication for NTN’s online audiences, features the achievements by clients and the public sector and events calendars. Relevant traderelated content is also shared in Economic Pulse.

Furthermore, Namibia Trade Network represents clients at local trade fairs and expos, trade and industry-related workshops and as media partners for events. NTN (Venture Media) is a smart partner of Tribefire Studios which include 99FM and One Africa Television. Among the services are multiplatform production, sponsorships and advertising packages for television, radio, digital platforms and print. It also offers, amongst others, content creation and marketing services, and social media campaigns.

To celebrate 30 years of uninterrupted publication is no small feat for any locally produced publication. But by embracing new technologies, the Namibia Trade Network has grown from strength to strength and positioned itself as the most authoritative reference for anyone wanting to do business in Namibia. It is also the most target-specific publication in Namibia for advertisers to promote their products and services.

Copies are also available at: Tribefire Studios, 44 Huper Motor Centre Maxwell Street, Windhoek

Telephone: +264 81 383 450

Email: elmarie@venture.com.na

Web: www.namibiatradedirectory.com

Willie Olivier