WALVIS BAY- The Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Tjekero Tweya says Namibia has no choice but to industrialise if the country is to address economic disparities between rich and poor, as well as achieve and maintain sustainable economic growth. Tweya says this can only happen when Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) are fully supported and enabled to create jobs through value addition.
The Deputy Minister was speaking this week at the opening of the Namibia Port Authority (Namport)’s Erongo Business and Tourism Expo in Walvis Bay. More than 250 exhibitors are taking part in the expo. The event is created to provide a forum that promotes the richness of the Erongo region in terms of its tourism, fishing, and logistics.
The expo is also created to give a platform to stakeholders in the region to meet and address challenges they face with regards to trade, development and investment while at the same time allowing SME’s to exhibit their services and products and broaden their client base.
“As a nation we don’t have a choice but to become industrialised and to continue devising strategies to defend and sustain local and upcoming manufacturers, which is to grow at home. It is in this connection that we recognise the critical role SME’s play in the socio-economic development and economic diversification of the country. Therefore platforms such as this expo gives SME’s the opportunity to network, learn and connect with international exhibitors,” the deputy minister explained.
Tweya then said that the trade ministry through the “growth at home” initiative is committed to support industrial trade investment and business activities in the country.
“Over the last financial year the ministry has purchased equipment worth N$2.6 million for the Erongo region alone. This clearly show how committed we are in developing our country,” he said.
The Deputy Minister said the Namibian government will continue to implement practical policies aimed at encouraging investment, industrialization and economic growth.
“We will continue to put measures in place to support local SME’s so that they can become more profitable and effectively participate in the country’s mainstream economy,” he said.
By Eveline de Klerk