The Development Bank of Namibia in collaboration with the Namibia Trade Forum entered into an agreement aimed at financing Small and Medium Enterprises in the manufacturing industry.
DBN and NTF are looking forward to enhancing the development and growth of SMEs by facilitating investment and market access.
SMEs play a vital role in the country's economic growth through the employment opportunities they offer.
However, challenges such as lack of business training and access to finance are challenges that negatively affect their growth.
The chief executive officer of the Development Bank of Namibia, Martin Inkumbi, therefore, noted that through the MOU, the bank would be able to assist with finance for manufacturing production in the form of
loans.
He further indicated that the bank will support enterprises with transfers of knowledge and skills through its mentorship and coaching program.
The CEO of Namibia Trade Forum Stacey Pinto disclosed that their mandate in this collaboration is to figure out how scalable the products for SMEs are, who their customers are, and if there is a scope for their products to be exported.