… march on towards Vision 2030
EENHANA – The Ministry of Trade and Industry has gone an extra mile to support 19 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ohangwena Region with heavy machinery.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the equipment to the entrepreneurs the Minister of Trade and Industry, Calle Schlettwein, said his ministry is keeping up with the mandate of promoting and developing the SME industry through programmes targeted at supporting the country’s economic growth.
Under the Equipment Aid Scheme, initiated in 2009, the programmes aim at boosting the production capacity of both formal and informal SMEs, by assisting them also to acquire production equipment and technologies. To date 500 emerging entrepreneurs have received equipment from the trade ministry.
“Our ministry has been concentrating on trade and other cross-border activities but neglected our own country’s industrialisation, so we thought out of the box and initiated a programme that will not only benefit you as SMEs but will also make Namibia’s economy grow and create jobs for our communities, especially the youths, for our Vision 2030,” explained Schlettwein. Through expanding their SME businesses with the equipment more jobs will be created.
The minister reminded that the SMEs are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the machines, many of which were imported from India and South Africa. “We have also noted that Ohangwena Region has the lowest number of applicants compared to other regions. You must come forward and we shall address your concerns. We paid for the equipment’s taxes and transportation costs and will also deliver them to your premises at no charge but you must maintain them,” he said.
One recipient Maria Namholo who received a hammer mill expressed gratitude to the ministry and promised she would work hard to develop her business.
The 19 entrepreneurs received various equipment such as construction machines, meat processors, sewing machines, brick makers, hammer mills, sewage removal tankers, laundry equipment, ice cream machines, tyre repair equipment and butchery equipment.
Tate Lazarus Nakapunda who received a sewage removal tanker promised he would not disappoint the ministry since he is ready to create job opportunities for the unemployed youth at Oshikango.
“We are grateful to our Swapo Party and government for a job well done so far. We need this equipment to create employment for our kids in the region. The ministry should continue to empower us as SMEs to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country,” he said
By Clemence Tashaya