As part of its Growth at Home strategy, the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) has identified the production of wood charcoal as a potential industry for value addition.
Namibia is in Phase Two of the Growth at Home strategy, which was chosen by MIT to emphasise the importance of accelerating economic growth, reducing income inequality, and increasing employment.
MIT stated in a press release on Wednesday that Growth at Home places a greater emphasis on the importance of industrialisation by strengthening national value chains and creating more efficient linkages within the economy, improvements in the ease of doing business, and ongoing engagement of collaboration between the government and private sector.
Among the challenges identified in the wood charcoal industry during Phase One of the strategy’s implementation was the fact that it is capital intensive for some farmers to enter, and farmers and interested producers or investors needed technical information on factors such as the standards for wood charcoal required for export, transportation, and a lack of research and development.
“Through mentorship and business support services, MIT mobilised regional councils and regional development committees to decentralise MIT development programmes, including policies and strategies, to ensure implementation. As a result, this ministry’s engagement effort is extended to all who are considering investing in the wood charcoal industry, as well as all other growth sectors,” it said.
According to MIT, Growth at Home also provides a roadmap for the implementation of Namibia’s Industrial Policy in the context of Vision 2030 and the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4).
It focuses on three strategic intervention areas – enhancing value addition, upgrading and diversification for long-term growth; securing market access at home and abroad; and improving the investment climate and conditions.
“These interventions will encourage the development of local industries by utilising the potential of local procurement measures and generating synergies between local producers and large retailers. Another major focus of this strategic area will be to create conditions that will boost Namibian exports as well as Namibian firms’ capacity to supply and export at a competitive level,” it said.
The ministry further noted that during Phase Two of the strategy, the emphasis shifted to being a regional player, whereas Phase One (2015-2020) focused on laying a strong foundation in sectors where Namibia already has a comparative advantage. These sectors included the agro-processing (wood charcoal), fish-processing, steel manufacturing, automotive industry, chemical, metal fabrication, taxidermy, Swakara wool, cosmetics, and jewellery and coloured gemstone industries.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
