‘Naturally Namibian’ brand to promote local products

A campaign to promote Namibian products, services and destinations, regionally and internationally, was launched in the capital on Wednesday night.

Team Namibia, which is an association not for gain, will market Namibia and Namibian products under the national trademark, “Naturally Namibian”. President Sam Nujoma launched the initiative in the Parliament Gardens on Wednesday night.”The very essence of the Team Namibia concept is the synergistic promotion of Namibian products, services and destinations regionally and internationally, and in so doing providing a steady flow of reliable business information globally.In my view this is an effort deserving the support of all Namibians,” he said.Strategic partners backing Team Namibia and implementing the “Naturally Namibian” trademark are, the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), the Namibian Manufacturer’s Association (NMA), Ministries of Trade and Industry and Foreign Affairs and the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW).Leake Hangala, President of the NCCI said such a “successful brand can inspire,” not only the people who buy the brand, but also the people who make the brand.However, he said there “must be substance behind the brand!”.Hangala also said it was essential to maintain the highest standards and quality for products and services to carry the “Naturally Namibian” trademark.He said the brand must reflect the reality and diversity of the country for it to further the causes of Namibian economic integration and competitiveness.It also envisaged that this kind of co-operation between Government, labour and the private sector will help in the creation of opportunities and jobs for Namibians.Risto Kapenda, president of the NUNW highlighted the need to invest in human capital and education, more social spending and a more proactive approach from the private sector in Namibia as is seen in the Team Namibia endeavour.President Nujoma added: “This launch signifies the unity of the Namibian nation and more specifically the private sector which is the engine for economic growth in the country.””Now that globalisation is here, the question that we must ask is: How can we make it work in our favour? One of the answers to that question is the launching of Team Namibia which seeks to position our country so that it can enjoy substantial benefits from the global markets by identifying niche opportunities and developing effective strategies to capitalise on such opportunities,” he explained.To qualify to use the Team Namibia logo, at least one third of the cost of production of a specific product or service must be incurred in Namibia and any imported raw materials must be substantively changed.Also for services, at least 33,3 per cent of the cost of delivering the service must be incurred in the country.It must be of a demonstrably high quality, it must be registered as a local brand, and member organisations’s products and services must be exportable with the company compliant to social and corporate governance principles.Naturally Namibian will be used to differentiate Namibian products from others and can only be used on products or services which a registered as Namibian brands.President Sam Nujoma launched the initiative in the Parliament Gardens on Wednesday night.”The very essence of the Team Namibia concept is the synergistic promotion of Namibian products, services and destinations regionally and internationally, and in so doing providing a steady flow of reliable business information globally.In my view this is an effort deserving the support of all Namibians,” he said.Strategic partners backing Team Namibia and implementing the “Naturally Namibian” trademark are, the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), the Namibian Manufacturer’s Association (NMA), Ministries of Trade and Industry and Foreign Affairs and the National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW).Leake Hangala, President of the NCCI said such a “successful brand can inspire,” not only the people who buy the brand, but also the people who make the brand.However, he said there “must be substance behind the brand!”.Hangala also said it was essential to maintain the highest standards and quality for products and services to carry the “Naturally Namibian” trademark.He said the brand must reflect the reality and diversity of the country for it to further the causes of Namibian economic integration and competitiveness.It also envisaged that this kind of co-operation between Government, labour and the private sector will help in the creation of opportunities and jobs for Namibians.Risto Kapenda, president of the NUNW highlighted the need to invest in human capital and education, more social spending and a more proactive approach from the private sector in Namibia as is seen in the Team Namibia endeavour.President Nujoma added: “This launch signifies the unity of the Namibian nation and more specifically the private sector which is the engine for economic growth in the country.””Now that globalisation is here, the question that we must ask is: How can we make it work in our favour? One of the answers to that question is the launching of Team Namibia which seeks to position our country so that it can enjoy substantial benefits from the global markets by identifying niche opportunities and developing effective strategies to capitalise on such opportunities,” he explained.To qualify to use the Team Namibia logo, at least one third of the cost of production of a specific product or service must be incurred in Namibia and any imported raw materials must be substantively changed.Also for services, at least 33,3 per cent of the cost of delivering the service must be incurred in the country.It must be of a demonstrably high quality, it must be registered as a local brand, and member organisations’s products and services must be exportable with the company compliant to social and corporate governance principles.Naturally Namibian will be used to differentiate Namibian products from others and can only be used on products or services which a registered as Namibian brands.