Windhoek: Namibian businesses have been urged to build capacity and meet international standards to participate in the country's emerging oil and gas sector. The call was made on Tuesday during the Upstream Oil and Gas Local Suppliers' Workshop hosted by Petrofund, which aims to prepare local enterprises for opportunities in the upstream petroleum value chain as Namibia moves towards Final Investment Decision (FID) and first oil.According to Namibia Press Agency, Special Advisor to the President and Deputy Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit, Carlo McLeod, emphasized that the workshop reflects a deliberate effort to position Namibians at the center of the sector. McLeod stated that policy alone is not sufficient to secure local participation, stressing the need for businesses to build their way into the value chain through skills, standards, and understanding international requirements.Executive Director in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME), Erasmus Shivolo, delivering the keynote addres s on behalf of the Minister, highlighted the importance of the workshop in strengthening local participation. He noted that the upstream oil and gas industry presents significant economic opportunities but requires deliberate efforts to integrate local enterprises into the value chain.The two-day workshop brings together international oil companies, financial institutions, and Namibian businesses to discuss procurement opportunities, compliance standards, and access to finance. Shivolo urged small and medium enterprises to use the workshop to better understand industry requirements and improve their readiness.