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Capacity Building on Competition Policy in Select Countries of Eastern and Southern Africa (7Up3 Project). Namibia: Preliminary country paper. Outline. Introduction to the Namibia (location, indicators) National policies Nature of NAM markets Competition law Competition & econ regulation
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Capacity Building on Competition Policy in Select Countries of Eastern and Southern Africa (7Up3 Project) Namibia: Preliminary country paper
Outline • Introduction to the Namibia (location, indicators) • National policies • Nature of NAM markets • Competition law • Competition & econ regulation • Regional integration • Consumer protection • Concluding remarks
1. Development policy • TDP (91/2 – 93/4) • NDP1 (95/6 – 99/0) • NDP2 (01/2 – 05/6) • Vision 2030
Development objectives: • reduce poverty* • create employment* • promote economic empowerment • stimulate and sustain economic growth* • reduce inequalities in income distribution* • reduce regional development inequalities • promote gender equality and equity • enhance environmental and ecological sustainability • combat the further spread of HIV/AIDS
2. Indus & Invest policies • Private sector to take a lead • Govt to create environ • Govt to attract Investment • Consistency in policy • Proper communication • Prevent further monopolies • Limited intervention • Value addition, exports
3. EPZ Foreign Investment Act (Act no. 27 of 1993), incentives • No VAT on purchase & import of machinery • Buildings written off at 20% (1st), 8% (10) • Expo promo allowance. 25% • Corporate tax abatement of 50%, 5yrs • Others
4. Trade policy • WTO requirements • SACU Agreement • Diversification of exports: primary to manufactures • Diversification of export destinations, economic development.
Trade barriers • Tariffs on imports (SACU) • Namibia Agronomic Board • The Meat Board of Namibia • Some equivalence to export subsidies • Exchange controls • Import/Export Licensing
Labour policy • access to finance • development of markets for SME products • provision of information on input sources and the promotion of group purchasing schemes • development of sites and premises • provision of support training in the form of mentoring and after-care services
Labour policy - goals • Previously disadvantaged persons • equality of opportunity for women • maternity leave and employment security for women • promote sound Labour relations and fair employment practices • lay down certain obligatory minimum basic conditions of service for all • health, safety and welfare of people at work and to prevent the abuse of child labour
Labour policy • Labour Act, 1992 • The Social Security Act, 1994 • Employment policy, 1997 • Affirmative action, 1998
The competition Act, 2003 • objectives • Application • Independence, capacity & powers of NCC • Restrictive Business Practices
Interface between competition and economic regulation in select sectors
Market structures in Select industries • Electricity supply Industry • communication and transport Industries • Financial Services Industry
Regional integration • WTO • SACU • CMA • SADC • COTONOU
Consumer protection • NCL • NAMFISA • Other e.g. financial sector