Windhoek: The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB), in partnership with First National Bank (FNB) Namibia, is conducting a two-day tourism training and financial literacy workshop targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the city. The workshop, which began on Monday, has attracted over 100 participants and is designed to equip attendees with essential skills for business growth.

According to Namibia Press Agency, this initiative stems from a memorandum of understanding between NTB and FNB, with the bank contributing N.dollars 60,000 to the event. The NTB Chief Executive Officer, Sebulon Chicalu, underscored the importance of tourism as a significant contributor to the GDP and a sector rich with opportunities for innovation. He emphasized NTB's commitment to supporting tourism enterprises through training, mentorship, and capacity-building, while promoting sustainable and community-based tourism to benefit grassroots communities.

Chicalu also mentioned NTB's collaboration with various stakeholders, including financial institutions and government agencies, to foster a conducive environment for tourism businesses. These collaborative efforts align with national goals such as digital transformation and investment promotion.

FNB Treasurer, Selma Kapeng, highlighted the importance of mentorship and structured training in enabling SMEs to expand their market reach. She noted that FNB's financial contribution would specifically bolster the financial literacy and entrepreneurship aspects of the programme. Kapeng expressed the bank's aim to equip participants with the necessary skills and confidence to establish sustainable businesses.

One of the workshop's attendees, entrepreneur Nestor Achilles, praised the initiative for its potential to empower SMEs and tour operators. He noted that the event offers valuable knowledge and networking opportunities to help participants understand and grow their businesses.