The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Namibia Standards Institute (NSI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, to strengthen cooperation between the institutions and focusing on joint efforts to support standardisation, improve market readiness for Namibian products and enhance the ease of doing business.
NSI chief executive officer Eino Emvula said the need for collaboration between investment promotion and national quality infrastructure is essential. This partnership creates a vital interface that allows them to work hand-in-hand to pave the way for sustainable economic development, benefiting everyone in society.
“When we think of investment, we often think of cold numbers and distant markets. However, at its core, it is about people and about improving lives, creating jobs, and fostering innovation. By aligning our efforts and resources, we can enhance the environmental and economic landscape of Namibia. We create a foundation where industries can thrive, society can prosper, and government can achieve its developmental goals,” he said.
He added that the NSI recognises that micro, small, and medium enterprises – MSMEs – are the heartbeat of the economy.
“They are where creativity meets opportunity, and today, they reaffirm they commitment to supporting these enterprises in their journey towards standardisation.”
“Helping them meet quality standards isn’t just about compliance; it’s about empowering them to compete on local and global stages and ensure their products speak to our shared values of quality, trust, and sustainability,” said Emvula.
NIPDB chief executive officer Nangula Uaandja said the board is guided by a dual mandate ‘to drive investment promotion and to support the growth and formalisation of MSMEs, which together serve as critical levers for inclusive economic development’.
“The NIPDB has actively contributed to technical committees led by NSI, including those focused on the development of the National Standardisation Plan and the broader work on the National Quality Policy, particularly through the Technical Regulatory Framework subcommittee initiatives,” she said.
She added that the agreement is ultimately about unlocking Namibia’s competitiveness.
-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na