The Ministry of Industrialization and Trade has concluded its regional stakeholders' engagement on consumer protection, the liquor licencing process, investment promotion, and related matters in Gobabis, Omaheke Region.

The engagement focused on the operation of the country's economy, aiming to provide more frequent platforms to aid in the quest for transformation and to bring information to the community to ensure that laws align with the needs of the citizens.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Industrialization and Trade, Lucia Ipumbu, the Deputy Executive Director, Dr. Michael Humavindu, mentioned that the ministry is currently assisting in the constitution of new regional liquor licencing committees.

This assistance is necessary as the terms for various committees have lapsed.

In addition, Dr. Humavindu emphasised the need to amend the Liquor Act, which came into effect 25 years ago.

"As a nation, we have to look at the issue of liquor trading with a sober mind and strike a balance between the economic benefits that are derived from the liquor industry on the one hand and the social ills that accompany alcohol abuse. Further, the ministry launched the National Consumer Protection Policy for the period 2021–25. The objective of the policy is to seek an effective consumer protection framework as well as to encourage fair trade in order to ensure a competitive economy."

The constituency Councillor of Otjombinde, who is also a Member of the Management Committee of the Omaheke Regional Council, Wenzel Kavaka, says the gathering should assist with transforming the regional economy.

"Today's event will focus on national consumer protection policy with a special emphasis on consumer rights when buying goods and services offered in our market, address the administration of the liquor act, Act No. 6 of 1998, as indeed the liquor industry is one of our country's economic activities in which a majority of micro, small, and medium enterprises operate and the industry has created employment in various forms, and lastly, we will have discussions on the draft Namibia Investment Promotion and Facilitation Bill."

Gobabis Mayor Melba Tjozongoro also spoke at the occasion.

"A gathering of this kind is essential because it facilitates the dialogue and discussions that come with challenges and become a stumbling block that hinders the potential growth of our business as well as the effectiveness of the implementation of liquor and consumer protection policies."