The Namibian government has called on local manufacturers and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to register to take part in the procurement process to supply goods to government stores.

The initiative aims to, among others, promote local production and create jobs.

Local manufacturers will have an opportunity to supply goods to the government through an open national bidding process.

Interested manufacturers must first register and indicate what they are capable of producing before participating in the bidding process.

Once registered, manufacturers will compete through a procurement framework where their products will be evaluated to ensure they meet the required standards.

"Manufacturers interested in registering should know that the ministry will look at compliance with national standards and whether they have the necessary certification and accreditation in place. Because the items we supply must meet the required national standards," explained Deputy Director of Centralised Services in the Works and Transport Ministry, Connien Campbell.

The Ministry of Works will also conduct site inspections to verify manufacturing capacity and ensure that suppliers are able to meet government demand within specific timeframes.

According to the Control Admin Officer at the Government Stores, Agnes Shoopala, "So for now, there are no items, or it's not all items, reserved for the manufacturer. There are many items that cannot be manufactured within our country, and these items can be advertised in an open bidding process, specifically an open national bidding document, where all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can compete through the normal procurement framework. Manufacturers must first register themselves before participating in the bidding process. When you register, you must specify the services or products you are capable of providing. Once we finish with registration, they will also go through the bidding process. Then they will compete with themselves. The whole process has to be done through evaluation."

Young people are also urged to use government programs that support entrepreneurship and local manufacturing.