WINDHOEK – Namibian manufacturers and producers finally have a voice that would ensure that their products feature prominently along the famous South African, and other brands in local shops. The voice comes in the form of the Namibia’s Retail Charter, which is to meet today [28 August] “to advance plans for a negotiated transformational model for the Namibian retail sector in line with Namibia’s 4th National Development Plan (NDP4).” The Windhoek meeting is for all interested parties in the retail sector, and is called by the Namibia Trade Forum, that rests in the ambit of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
“Our objective is to facilitate the development of a Namibian Retail Charter to enable locally produced goods to find their way onto the shelves of our retail outlets. With the meeting, we hope to facilitate the appointment of working teams through which the retailers and stakeholders can negotiate the framework, principles and binding targets to work towards.’’ He further added: “We need their visible support and active participation in this. Retailers who support Government are fine; and of these we have plenty good examples. Those who don’t, are expected to cooperate,” said Lapitomhinda Hashingola, Namibia Trade Forum’s Liaison Officer.
The Namibian Retail Charter is expected to lay out principles and targets which will ensure greater access for locally produced goods into the retail market thereby enabling domestic economic growth, increase employment creation and capacity creation for Namibian producers.
Hashingola says the Namibian Retail Charter is in line with the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s “Growth at home strategy”, which strives to transform Namibia’s economy.
Appointment to the Task Team is voluntarily and is based on retail activity in the Namibian economy. The meeting is expected to be attended by retailers in the Food & Beverages, Clothing & Apparel, Building & Hardware, distributors, organised labour representing those sectors, business associations, as well as regulatory bodies.