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Jeremiah Ndjoze

Windhoek – The Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development recently revealed that the government has been promoting the country's growing craft sector as part of its homegrown growth strategy.

This, according to Dr. Michael Humavindu, Deputy Executive Director of the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development.

Speaking at a recent art exhibition, which was held at the Namibian National Gallery of Arts, Humavindu highlighted the efforts made by his ministry, with the support of GIZ – a German development agency with offices in Windhoek – for the development of Namibian visual arts industry.

Humavindu said craftsmanship is a strategic industry that has gained momentum since the implementation of the 2016 Growth at Home strategy and that the sector's footprint in the country's national development plans is testimony to that.

"In addition, the arts and crafts sector has been selected for more specific development of its economic development through the Industry Growth Program," said Humavindu.

The industry's growth agenda is part of ongoing efforts by governments to strengthen Namibia's economic growth by developing specific growth strategies, which have spawned the growth strategy of Namibian handicrafts and associated value chains.

"The growth strategy for the value chains of handicrafts and associated companies in Namibia is one of the many growth strategies of the industry, thanks to which our ministry, in collaboration with D & # 039; Other technical ministries and key players in the industry, will support local added value for the country's socio-economic progress, as shown by the different pillars of Harambee's prosperity plan, "revealed Humavindu.

He added that while the sector was still in its infancy, significant growth has been seen in recent years, with opportunities identified in the sector's growth strategy.

According to Humavindu, the opportunities are: primary production and input supply, processing and technology, product distribution and trade, and a good business environment.

However, he quickly noted that, like all other economic sectors around the world, and particularly in developing countries, the sector is also facing several constraints that hinder its development ambitions.

"Therefore, I would like to encourage industry representatives and all stakeholders to continue their efforts for strengthened and sustainable initiatives, using the platforms offered by the growth at home strategy, so that the constraints not only challenges, but simple opportunities to improve the sector's performance. , Said Humavindu.

He said his ministry would continue to support the sector, while aligning its support with other government services that the sector may need, and encouraged industry representatives to contact their ministry in the event of a misalignment of the policy. adversely affect the performance of the sector. in relation to the growth strategy at home.

"Let me assure you to continue our cooperation with GIZ in order to seek a micro and macro support mechanism to ensure the growth and livelihood of the sector," he said.