KEETMANSHOOP – //Kharas governor Aletha Frederick said it is imperative for Namibian businesses to prepare and take full advantage of the benefits offered under the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA).
In a keynote address, read on her behalf by Keetmanshoop Rural constituency councillor Gerrit Witbooi at a consultative stakeholder meeting in Keetmanshoop recently, she advised the business community in the region to use the opportunities provided by the AfCFTA.
“This entails identifying importers of goods and services, increasing production capacities, diversification and adding value to our raw materials as well as to ensure that our produce is founding its place of exports on the African continent,” she said.
Frederick said since meaningful trade is yet to commence under the agreement, it can now provide business people with a perfect opportunity to prepare and gain a better understanding of the benefits it offers.
“As a region, we are grateful that platforms such as this are organised to create awareness through information sharing, thereby reaching all members of our business fraternity,” she emphasised.
The regional representative for President Hage Geingob added since //Kharas is a dominant player in Namibia’s economic growth, a clear understanding of what AfCFTA holds can help the region’s entrepreneurs to tap into opportunities presented accordingly.
Frederick commended the trade ministry and Namibia Trade Forum for making it possible that traders are well equipped and ready to do business under the agreement.
Keetmanshoop mayor McDonald Hanse said Namibia has negotiated, signed and ratified the agreement establishing the AfCFTA.
“It is expected that this agreement will provide Namibian businesses with the opportunity to trade within the continent on a duty-free basis and furthermore ensure that non-tariff barriers are eliminated,” he said.
The mayor continued that this will make it easier for local products to enter African markets in a competitive manner.
Noting that the continent trades more with countries such as the USA and China and less within itself, Hanse said this agreement, therefore, has the intention to increase trade amongst African countries and hence industrialise it.
“We also have to ensure that women, the youth and informal traders are aware of the agreement through public-private sector dialogue platforms available,” the mayor said.