Local businesses told to improve customer services

Local businesses have been told to improve their customer services and provide services that are up to standard.

Speaking during the ‘Buy Local, Grow Local Trolley Dash’ launch in Windhoek last week, Dinapama Manufacturing managing director David Namalenge said there is pattern of a lack of customer service among local businesses.

“If you are running a business, you must make sure you are providing quality products and services, which is a problem here,” said Namalenga.

He said entrepreneurs should not provide mediocre products or services, adding that they should be able to accept criticism to improve their services.

Speaking during the launch, minister of industrialisation and trade Lucia Iipumbu said the growth of the economy relies on what the country can produce and consume locally.

She, therefore, urged people to buy locally produced goods and services during the festive season.

“It is important to keep the impetus of buying local as this is an investment that goes directly to our communities, creating jobs and ensuring sustainable growth, for we know that each Namibian product tells a story of innovation, resilience and national pride,” said Iipumbu.

The Buy Local and Grow Namibia campaign was launched in 2020 with the aim of supporting locals.

The first phase of the campaign focused largely on putting local products in retail stores and promoting local consumption for shoppers.

The second phase of the campaign aimed to help Namibian businesses understand various standards and requirements to shelve their products in local retailer shops.

“We have noted good results since the initiation of this campaign and we want to keep the momentum until we reach a point where we scale our local productive capacity and curb the surge of imported products which are currently dominating our local retail shelves,” said Iipumbu.

The Trolley Dash is part of the second phase of the campaign.

“The Trolley Dash Competition aims to incentivise consumers to purchase Namibian-made products, creating excitement, awareness and participation in the campaign,” said Iipumbu.

The competition is designed to reward consumers who support local businesses, provide them with an engaging shopping experience and highlight the benefits of buying local.