President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has thrown government support behind Namibian companies seeking to establish businesses abroad, promising to confront barriers that stand in the way of investment and profit repatriation.

This came after local businessman Desmond Amunyela of Paragon Holdings appealed to the government to consider helping local companies operate in foreign markets, including China, while ensuring they can return their profits to Namibia.

The issue surfaced during an engagement between President Nandi-Ndaitwah, cluster ministers and more than 200 Namibian business leaders in Beijing.

Namibian law allows foreign investors to repatriate profits, dividends and capital from Namibia to their home countries. 

Amunyela wanted similar support for Namibian investors expanding beyond the country's borders.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibian businesses should not limit their ambitions to the domestic market but should build a presence internationally and channel the returns back into the local economy.