MANUFACTURING

This Ministry is also responsible for promoting growth and development of the economy through the formulation and implementation of appropriate policies to attract investment, increase trade, develop and expand the country’s industrial base.
The government of Namibia is fast-tracking legislation to promote Namibian manufacturing and exports through the following initiatives:

The Growth at Home Strategy is the implementation arm of Namibia’s industrial policy.
The strategy aims at industrialising Namibia over the next 20 years, and focuses on three central ideas:

• Support value addition, upgrading and diversification for sustainable growth
• Secure market access at home and abroad
• Improve the investment climate and conditions

New Procurement and the envisaged amendment of the Investment Bill will cover local and foreign investment and include a range of incentives to stimulate various industries.

The Namibia Retail Charter aims at expanding the benefits of economic growth to a larger part of the population and to encourage local production. The charter will address the denial of retail space directly and assist producers with marketing and quality control.

There is still significant potential for value-addition to products of the primary industry sectors and for manufacturing development in general. Among the projects are:

• Fertiliser production (including the use of local phosphates)
• Feedlotting in the cattle industry
• Fish and pet food production
• A game meat processing plant
• A meat processing plant for northern Namibia
• Processing of locally produced vegetables into sundried, canned or concentrated products
• Processing of medicinal plants
• Processing of skins and hides into leather products
• Development of the Zambezi sugar and energy project
• Edible oil and margarine production from sunflower and safflower
• Production and processing of dates
• Setting quality standards for products, packaging and labelling and introducing local certification.

Source: NMA Manufacturing and Processing Directory 2015-16 edition

THE NAMIBIAN MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION

The association represents its members and is the watchdog and voice of Namibian manufacturers in general. The NMA enhances member visibility by assisting members with marketing functions through the NMA website, with business delegations and by dealing with direct inquiries. The association’s role also includes discussions and negotiations with Government, other sectors of the economy and foreign organisations, e.g. as part of foreign trade negotiations. The NMA continuously advocates better working relations and a dialogue between manufacturers and retailers.

NMA AWARDS

The Namibian Manufacturers Association (NMA) hosted its fourth Manufacturer of the Year Awards Gala Dinner on 20 October 2016 at the Safari Hotel and Conference Centre in Windhoek. During this prestigious event awards were presented to members of the NMA who are top achievers in the industry.

The NMA Overall Winner, judges’ choice: GUAN’S PACKAGING

Category 1:
The NMA NEW Manufacturer of the Year
1st Place: Unleashed Design

Category 2:
The NMA SMALL Manufacturer of the Year
1st Place: Black Gold Compost

Category 3:
The NMA MEDIUM Manufacturer of the Year
1st Place: Ekango Salt Refiners

Category 4:
The NMA LARGE Manufacturer of the Year
1st Place: Guan’s Packaging

Category 5:
The NMA CORPORATE Manufacturer of the Year
1st Place: Namibia Breweries Limited

Category 6:
The NMA BEST AMBASSADOR for Manufacturing in Namibia
1st Place: United Fishing Enterprises

Category 7:
The NMA MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY award
1st Place: Etosha Fishing Corporation