Windhoek: The third edition of the Omuthiya Business Expo received a financial boost on Saturday as businesses and stakeholders pledged N.dollars 626,026 during the Omuthiya Town Council Gala Dinner.According to Namibia Press Agency, the funds will support the hosting of the expo, which is scheduled for October 2026 at the New Open Market Centre in Omuthiya under the theme, 'Local by Design; Crafting Competitive SMEs for Tomorrow.' Speaking at the gala dinner, National Planning Commission Director General Kaire Mbuende said the fundraising event represented more than the mobilisation of financial resources, describing it as a demonstration of the collective commitment to strengthening local economic development and creating opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).Mbuende stated that the expo's theme underscored the need to deliberately build competitive businesses through investment in skills development, innovation, infrastructure, and enabling policy environments. He emphasized that Namibi a's SMEs should be supported to move beyond fragmented small-scale operations into coordinated and scalable value chains capable of contributing meaningfully to economic transformation.According to Mbuende, value addition remains essential to ensuring that products are processed locally instead of being exported in raw form, thereby retaining economic value within communities while creating employment opportunities. He noted that Omuthiya's strategic location as a gateway to Namibia's central northern regions presents significant opportunities for trade, tourism, and service-based enterprises, provided that government, the private sector, and local communities work together to unlock the town's full economic potential.Businessman Shafa Kanime echoed the call for stronger collaboration, encouraging the local business community to seize the investment opportunities available in Omuthiya and actively contribute to the town's development. Kanime mentioned that the town has the potential to become a tourism an d commercial hub, provided that businesses continue investing in trade and other economic activities that will benefit both the town and the wider Oshikoto Region. He also highlighted the importance of utilising the agricultural land surrounding Omuthiya to strengthen agricultural production, saying the sector could become a key driver of economic growth and create additional business opportunities for local entrepreneurs.The annual Omuthiya Business Expo aims to promote local enterprises, attract investment, and stimulate sustainable economic development in the region.