//Kharas, Hardap entrepreneurs boosted with N$30 000 in equipment

Hardap governor Salomon April says entrepreneurs are the backbone of the country’s economy.

He said this during a handover ceremony at Mariental on Tuesday, where over 50 successful beneficiaries from the Hardap and //Kharas regions received equipment from the Ministry of Trade and Industrialisation through the Equipment Aid Scheme for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Minister of industrialisation and trade Lucia Iipumbu at the event urged entrepreneurs who have not yet benefited from the programme to apply for benefits during the next application process.

She highlighted an increase in funding allocated for equipment.

“Today, each beneficiary will receive equipment valued at N$30 000, but I’m also excited to share the good news that in the next round of applications, the funding allocated for equipment has been increased to N$80 000.

“This increase comes after discussions with the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises during the budget midterm review, where we requested additional resources,” Iipumbu said.

She emphasised the ministry’s commitment to sustaining the initiative and ensuring more beneficiaries are included in the future.

April said the handover ceremony was not merely about distributing equipment, but rather about providing tools to empower entrepreneurs.

“Today’s handover is about providing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in a dynamic and challenging economic environment.

“With the support of the government, we are ensuring that local enterprises have the capacity to innovate, grow, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s industrialisation agenda,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Aletta Xamseb, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the recipients.

“Our goal is to contribute to the economy by creating job opportunities. We are deeply grateful to the government for extending a helping hand,” she said.

Most of the beneficiaries received machinery for meat processing, other manufacturing and craft businesses, as well as agricultural ventures.