Industries must compete globally
The prime minister says if Namibia continues to protect its industries perpetually, other countries will retaliate by blocking the entry of Namibian goods into their markets.
Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says too much infant industry protection will lead to Namibia violating international competition rules.
She said local producers must consider seizing opportunities offered to them by government, in order to build confidence and compete in regional and global markets.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila made these remarks during the official opening of the ninth edition of the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (OTIE).
The Ondangwa town council hosted the OTIE from 29 April until 4 May under the theme 'Embracing economic growth through entrepreneurship'.
The prime minister said government continues to promote policy tools by supporting market access for domestically produced products, through giving them preference in terms of public procurement, and providing business financing and mentorship to local producers and traders.
“We should also make use of the support that is provided by the government to capacitate ourselves to produce quality goods. After a period of nurturing you, including through infant industry protection, we will be required by international trading rules to open up the competition.
“If we continue to protect our industries perpetually, we will be violating these rules and other countries will also retaliate by blocking of our goods into their markets,” said Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
“Government support is of utmost importance for business development and economic growth; the bulk of our economy is based on private business activities and much of our national savings are held by private financial institutions.”
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said, as a country, we need to make determined efforts to curb the high dependence on imports.
She said the country's economy should also be diversified from a raw, commodity-based economy to one that is industrialised, by taking advantage of our vast natural resources in order to optimise job-creation and resilience to external shocks, while ensuring sustainable and higher economic growth.
She said the government will also promote effective political governance and public service delivery, by strengthening the performance and accountability of public officials and institutions, and streamlining government processes, including by leveraging information communication technology (ICT) to expedite service delivery and reduce the cost of doing business in the country.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila added trade fairs and business expos have become positive development events, which provide a platform for businesspeople to market their products.
She said businesspeople also have an opportunity to meet and interact with one another, thereby establishing a basis for possible future business associations.
“This event is an important aspect of business and economic growth promotion. Trade fairs and business expos are also important platforms for the promotion of regional and continental economic integration, and they support our efforts to improve our participation in global trade, as exhibitors come from all across our nation and beyond our borders,” the prime minister added.
ILENI NANDJATO
She said local producers must consider seizing opportunities offered to them by government, in order to build confidence and compete in regional and global markets.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila made these remarks during the official opening of the ninth edition of the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition (OTIE).
The Ondangwa town council hosted the OTIE from 29 April until 4 May under the theme 'Embracing economic growth through entrepreneurship'.
The prime minister said government continues to promote policy tools by supporting market access for domestically produced products, through giving them preference in terms of public procurement, and providing business financing and mentorship to local producers and traders.
“We should also make use of the support that is provided by the government to capacitate ourselves to produce quality goods. After a period of nurturing you, including through infant industry protection, we will be required by international trading rules to open up the competition.
“If we continue to protect our industries perpetually, we will be violating these rules and other countries will also retaliate by blocking of our goods into their markets,” said Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
“Government support is of utmost importance for business development and economic growth; the bulk of our economy is based on private business activities and much of our national savings are held by private financial institutions.”
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said, as a country, we need to make determined efforts to curb the high dependence on imports.
She said the country's economy should also be diversified from a raw, commodity-based economy to one that is industrialised, by taking advantage of our vast natural resources in order to optimise job-creation and resilience to external shocks, while ensuring sustainable and higher economic growth.
She said the government will also promote effective political governance and public service delivery, by strengthening the performance and accountability of public officials and institutions, and streamlining government processes, including by leveraging information communication technology (ICT) to expedite service delivery and reduce the cost of doing business in the country.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila added trade fairs and business expos have become positive development events, which provide a platform for businesspeople to market their products.
She said businesspeople also have an opportunity to meet and interact with one another, thereby establishing a basis for possible future business associations.
“This event is an important aspect of business and economic growth promotion. Trade fairs and business expos are also important platforms for the promotion of regional and continental economic integration, and they support our efforts to improve our participation in global trade, as exhibitors come from all across our nation and beyond our borders,” the prime minister added.
ILENI NANDJATO
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article