Matundu pushes greater support for manufacturers

Deputy trade minister Jenelly Matundu has called on government institutions, the private sector and consumers to support capable Namibian manufacturers in a bid to reduce the country’s reliance on imported goods.

Speaking at the inauguration of new digital sublimation technology at Dinapama Manufacturing & Supplies in Windhoek on Thursday, Matundu said Namibia had local companies capable of producing goods that are currently imported.

“There are products currently imported into Namibia that capable local manufacturers can produce competitively. Government institutions, the private sector and consumers should therefore support Namibian enterprises that can meet the standard of quality. But technology alone cannot transform our economy. People must be at the centre of industrialisation,” she said.

She urged government institutions, businesses and consumers to support Namibian enterprises that can meet required quality standards, saying this would help strengthen local value chains and expand domestic manufacturing capacity.