The Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, has said laws that hinder the participation of local businesses must be amended. 

Nekundi says there is a need for a comprehensive strategy to prioritise local enterprises in government projects, thereby boosting growth at home.

The minister emphasised that the ministry must ensure that Namibian-owned businesses, especially manufacturers, are afforded opportunities to participate in procurement processes.

"We must ensure that at least 1/3 of the subcontractors are locally based, while for manufacturers, it is our patriotic responsibility to ensure Namibian-based manufacturers are favoured over imports. Therefore, for any procurement, conditions favouring locally based manufacturers must be mandatory. Further, we must ensure that 1/3 of labourers be hired from the locals in which the project is being implemented."

According to the minister, the exclusion of locals inflates project costs and also disadvantages local businesses.

"I must emphasise that the issue of material specifications designed to exclude local manufacturers must find a place in the history of rejections."

Nekundi also called for a collaborative effort within the ministry to identify any laws or regulations that could hinder local business participation. 

"If there is a law that hinders what I just stated, my office should be informed within 30 days so that I can trigger the necessary amendment to such legislation."

Nekundi reaffirmed the government's responsibility to protect and promote the interests of local businesses, calling on all stakeholders to work together to create a more inclusive and dynamic economy.