Northern businesses call for protection against foreign rivals

BUSINESS people in the North, under the leadership of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce in Industry (NCCI), have appealed to Government for protection against competition from foreign companies.

Acting Chairman of NCCI’s northern branch, Josef Kapya Endjala in a petition to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Hage Geingob urged Government to stop foreign firms from providing goods and services, which can be adequately provided by local entrepreneurs. They also called on the authorities to reserve State tenders of less than N$30 million for Namibian entrepreneurs.The petition was handed over to Trade Minister, Hage Geingob at Eenhana in the Ohangwena region last Saturday.The northern businesses particularly want protection against Chinese and Indian entrepreneurs, who they say are engaging in business activities that can be done by Namibians.”We are aware that a letter which we sent to the Board of Directors of the NCCI on 22 June 2008 was forwarded to you Honorable Minister, by the NCCI Board in return, and we still, want you Hon.Minister to address our concerns as a matter of urgency, “the petition read In response, Geingob said his ministry was aware of the growing sentiment against, especially the Chinese business people.He said the issue is being addressed with the Chinese embassy in Windhoek and that progress was being made.”But, please you have to be realistic too, to give us a chance to prepare ourselves, since we are all new in this ministry with all these problems,” Geingob said.He, however, encouraged business people to always engage in dialogue about problems confronting them to maintain peace and stability which are vital for a conducive business environment.Geingob reminded them that Namibia’s Independence was partly achieved because of international solidarity, saying they should be careful when speaking about and acting against foreign business operators.Geingob was at Eenhana to officially open the Eenhana Trade and Business Expo last weekend.They also called on the authorities to reserve State tenders of less than N$30 million for Namibian entrepreneurs.The petition was handed over to Trade Minister, Hage Geingob at Eenhana in the Ohangwena region last Saturday.The northern businesses particularly want protection against Chinese and Indian entrepreneurs, who they say are engaging in business activities that can be done by Namibians.”We are aware that a letter which we sent to the Board of Directors of the NCCI on 22 June 2008 was forwarded to you Honorable Minister, by the NCCI Board in return, and we still, want you Hon.Minister to address our concerns as a matter of urgency, “the petition read In response, Geingob said his ministry was aware of the growing sentiment against, especially the Chinese business people.He said the issue is being addressed with the Chinese embassy in Windhoek and that progress was being made.”But, please you have to be realistic too, to give us a chance to prepare ourselves, since we are all new in this ministry with all these problems,” Geingob said.He, however, encouraged business people to always engage in dialogue about problems confronting them to maintain peace and stability which are vital for a conducive business environment.Geingob reminded them that Namibia’s Independence was partly achieved because of international solidarity, saying they should be careful when speaking about and acting against foreign business operators.Geingob was at Eenhana to officially open the Eenhana Trade and Business Expo last weekend.