You are currently viewing MSMEs contribute 12% to GDP

MSMEs contribute 12% to GDP


NAMIBIA has approximately 33 700 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which provide employment and income to 160 000 people.

This was said by the governor of Oshikoto region, Penda ya Ndokolo, when he officially opened the first Know2Grow NextGen Entrepreneurs fair being held at Tsumeb by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB).

The three-day event will run until tomorrow.

Ya Ndokolo said the contribution of the MSMEs, of which around 15 000 are formally registered, is approximately 12% of Namibia’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“Namibia is considered a young nation. It is imperative that we pave the way for youth-led initiatives and support the acceleration of their business ventures.

“Young people should have an environment in which their brilliant and innovative business models are recognised and encouraged in order to sustain the next generation,” said the governor, who described NIPDB, as an enabler for MSMEs and start-ups’ ecosystem growth.

He said the K2G NextGen Entrepreneurs showcase through the theme ‘Scaling through Innovation, Value Addition and Co-operatives’ offers a market access and capacity building platform.

“This platform will connect MSMEs with each other, as well as with business support organisations and their current and potential clients,” he said.

In addition, he said the MSMEs will showcase their products and services, and attend various seminars aimed at sharing information about managing their businesses, as well as business-to-business retail engagements, specifically focused on enabling business owners to get their products onto retail shelves, as well as export ready.

“NIPDB understands that MSMEs are key contributors to employment creation, income generation, and poverty eradication for the people of Namibia, in both rural and urban areas.

“MSMEs are the backbone of the Namibian economy. Therefore, we need to ensure that their businesses are scaled to continue contributing to the economy of our great country.

He said the board is responsible for building institutional mechanisms and serves as the primary coordinator across all MSME development levers at a national level.

In addition, NIPDB facilitates collaboration between the various stakeholders to ensure that programmes are implemented to create an enabling ecosystem for MSMEs and Start-ups.

“I would like to emphasise the importance of initiatives such as the K2G NextGen Entrepreneurs showcase and the significant role it plays in the economic development of Namibia,” said the governor.

The mayor of Tsumeb, Matheus Hangula, expressed pride that the town was hosting the showcase.

He also expressed gratitude to the NIPDB, for bringing entrepreneurs from all over Namibia to come showcase their innovative products at Tsumeb.

“Aligning today’s official gathering to the Global Entrepreneurs Network Week, which is celebrated annually from 14 to 20 November, we join the world in celebrating 15 years of helping millions of people unleash their ideas to start and scale new businesses,” he said.

“I understand, there is a line-up of 30 business support organisations to engage with the 140 selected scalable MSMEs, of which 60 are here physically and 80 joining us on a virtual platform,” he said.

The showcase will further have a series of panel discussions with local and international business support organisations, business-to-business engagements and networking platforms among fellow entrepreneurs.





Source link