Africa-Press – Namibia. THE government considers the effective protection of consumer rights as a vital component and, therefore, ranks it high on the agenda of the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade.
THE government considers the effective protection of consumer rights as a vital component and, therefore, ranks it high on the agenda of the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade.
This was said by the minister of industrialisation and trade, Lucia Iipumbu, in Windhoek on Thursday at a meeting to create awareness, share and deliberate on issues of mutual business and entrepreneurial interests.
These included the consumer protection policy and the administration of the Liquor Act.
She said the ministry launched the National Consumer Protection Policy 2020-2025 in September 2021, with the main objectives of seeking an effective consumer protection framework.
“It was also to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for consumers to understand their rights associated with their spending and investment choices as well as to encourage fair trade in a competitive economy,” she said.
The policy highlighted the need for legislation to address unfair commercial practices affecting businesses and consumers, including marketing tactics, advertising campaigns, sales promotions and other commercial practices directed at influencing consumer decisions in the marketplace.
She said the ministry had dedicated its division of consumer protection and internal market regulation to serve as a national consumer protection office.
“This office is charged to liaise with other sector-regulatory bodies and institutions, as well as to attend to all complaints of consumers and secure an even playing field for all businesses, to educate consumers about their rights and the available mechanisms to redress their complaints while the legal framework is being finalised,” said the minister.
Iipumbu said the ministry administers the Liquor Act, that makes provision for the licensing of all establishments in the supply and sale of liquor in our country.
“The ministry fulfils this mammoth task with its strategic partner, the Office of the Judiciary Service Commission, that provides both the chairmanship and secretariat services to all liquor licensing committees in all the regions.
The presence of different various stakeholders, such as local authorities, consumers, business community as well as representatives of various business communities is indeed a notable positive response to the ministry to collectively assist entrepreneurs, and a step in the right direction for small and medium enterprises to the call of meeting government half way in establishing practical business solutions, she said.
Email: [email protected]
This was said by the minister of industrialisation and trade, Lucia Iipumbu, in Windhoek on Thursday at a meeting to create awareness, share and deliberate on issues of mutual business and entrepreneurial interests.
These included the consumer protection policy and the administration of the Liquor Act.
She said the ministry launched the National Consumer Protection Policy 2020-2025 in September 2021, with the main objectives of seeking an effective consumer protection framework.
“It was also to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for consumers to understand their rights associated with their spending and investment choices as well as to encourage fair trade in a competitive economy,” she said.
The policy highlighted the need for legislation to address unfair commercial practices affecting businesses and consumers, including marketing tactics, advertising campaigns, sales promotions and other commercial practices directed at influencing consumer decisions in the marketplace.
She said the ministry had dedicated its division of consumer protection and internal market regulation to serve as a national consumer protection office.
“This office is charged to liaise with other sector-regulatory bodies and institutions, as well as to attend to all complaints of consumers and secure an even playing field for all businesses, to educate consumers about their rights and the available mechanisms to redress their complaints while the legal framework is being finalised,” said the minister.
Iipumbu said the ministry administers the Liquor Act, that makes provision for the licensing of all establishments in the supply and sale of liquor in our country.
“The ministry fulfils this mammoth task with its strategic partner, the Office of the Judiciary Service Commission, that provides both the chairmanship and secretariat services to all liquor licensing committees in all the regions.
The presence of different various stakeholders, such as local authorities, consumers, business community as well as representatives of various business communities is indeed a notable positive response to the ministry to collectively assist entrepreneurs, and a step in the right direction for small and medium enterprises to the call of meeting government half way in establishing practical business solutions, she said.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
