OPUWO – The Opuwo Town Council (OTC) last week started registering and awarding fitness certificates to new enterprises operating within the town’s boundaries.
The registration is intended for all persons, corporations and organisations trading in the town in accordance with section 94(1) of the Local Authorities Act (Act No. 23 of 1992) to get a fitness/business registration certificate.
Existing businesses will also be required to renew their registration.
McSean Makono, the council’s SME and Business Promoter, told Nampa on Wednesday that council expects to register as many businesses as possible before the end of August, with 500 vendors registered thus far.
Makono said all businesses operating in Opuwo are required by law to register with the council in order to safeguard their operations and prevent copycats from operating under the same organisation’s name.
“Town council is mandated by the Local Authority Act, Act No. 23 of 1992, to provide means for services, and all businesses operating within council boundaries should register with the council. We should have data on businesses in town. Knowing the statistics of businesses operating within its borders is critical for the council,” he added.
Makono added that the cost of business registration and fitness certificates is determined by the size and kind of business.
Makono advised organisers of events such as bazaars to obtain temporary licences from the council, to comply with the liquor licensing legislation.
He said the registration of businesses will help the council to strengthen the town’s marketing image and conducting business in Opuwo. Furthermore, Makono said all businesses must have a permanent structure or a physical location for them to be registered.
The council will implement regulating measures to verify that all businesses operating inside the town’s limits are registered in accordance with the local government laws, he said.
Makono said people or companies that fail to register their business will be fined up to N$2 000.
– Nampa