National

Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) CEO Martin Inkumbi has reiterated the Bank’s support for the manufacturing sector.

The Namibian Retail Sector Charter was signed off on 11 March 2016 as a voluntary tool to help transform the retail sector from one that relies predominantly on imports to one that gives preference to local manufactures by promoting the sourcing of local products by retailers. 

Omuriro Manufacturing CC based in Omaruru produces firelighters as it exploits the opportunity to utilise the remnants left between the braai/fireplace wood and bush-feeding categories to develop a natural firelighter.

Namibia recorded an increase in the value of exports during August 2021, which grew by 41.5% to N$7.1 billion, up from N$5 billion in July 2021, according to the Statistician General’s reports.

The impact of Covid-19 has been devastating on Namibian manufacturers as reduced economic activity and disrupted global supply lines wreaked havoc on the domestic capacity to produce.

After the Kavango West Regional Council entered into an agreement with Namibia Community Skills Development Foundation (Cosdef) to offer a 13-week intensive training on leather production, 25 trainee youth on this project are optimistic to bring about change in their communities after completion. 

“Growth at Home” is the theme chosen by the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) to reinforce the importance of accelerating economic growth, reducing income inequality and increasing employment.

In the midst of economic hardship, we are still observing an average return towards local manufacturing and small businesses. 

The industrialisation and trade ministry recently inaugurated the Core Group that will be spearheading the implementation of the revised National Quality Policy for 2020 to 2025. 

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic as the number of deaths reached alarming proportions, Namibia was forced to import millions of dollars’ worth of coffins in a single month.