STAFF WRITER
Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi has encouraged Namibia Small to Medium enterprises to target regional and continental market space for their products to improve income.
Speaking at the opening of the Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition(OTIE) Ashipala-Musavyi said Namibian businesses must rethink strategies to market products and services to the SADC Region, the African Continent and the world.
“If I can buy West African Shea butter in Europe, Asia and the Americas, why can I not buy products from Oshana Region beyond the borders of Namibia? In my view, the theme Connecting Local Trade to the World,” also supports intra – African Trade, through the AFCTA,” she said.
She said the Government recognizes that connecting local trade to Africa and the world is more than an aspiration but requires deliberate, focused and consistent action.
“We are therefore committed to strengthening economic diplomacy, expanding market access, and creating an enabling environment for our enterprise to thrive locally, regionally, and internationally,”she said.
She said the Ministry is committed to ensuring that Namibian producers and service providers, including those from Oshana Region are able to compete with confidence, locally and on the continental and global stage through bilateral and multilateral cooperation, trade agreements, export promotion initiatives, and trade and investment facilitation,
“As a Ministry, our mandate includes the promotion of Namibia’s trade interests abroad, while committed to supporting a conducive environment for enterprise growth, market access, and inclusive development at home, creating space for local businesses,” she said.
The minister added that they are finalizing the Investment Promotion Bill together with the relevant Regulations, to be tabled in the National Assembly soon.
“ We are ready to work together with local and international events organisers, to ensure that you host successful Trade Promotion Events. My officials are present at this event, please visit our stand and engage them on issues relating to trade and investment,” she said.
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