Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) in #Namibia are considered worthy enough to have an entire ministry directorate dedicated to it. With some 40 000 of them and around 20 000 estimated to be registered officially with the State Body BIPA.
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The contribution of this SME sector to the #GDP is around 12% and so #COVID-19 making its appearance in the country and its resultant “lockdown” and restrictive regulations could result in a massive impact on the #economy as a whole. Add to this the loss of #jobs and the restriction of trade in the #hospitality and #tourism sectors a ticking time-bomb is waiting.
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There however is hope and light at the end of the tunnel if revised policies are put in place that could accommodate these sectors. Needed steps are rotational days in which an #informal trader can trade after being registered on a central database (Ministry of Trade?). this will allow for #social distancing, adherence to the emergency regulations and most importantly, the option to trade thus earning a living even if restricted. The same could be done for restaurants, allowing them to operate on skeleton staffs and provide take-away services only.
The conversation continues https://issuu.com/rdjbriefing
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