Local cosmetic businesses decry lack of market access

Small businesses operating in Namibia&#039;s budding cosmetics sector have questioned a lack of local market access for their products.This was revealed during the launch of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board&#039;s (NIPDB&#039;s) Fatty Oil Export Guide on Tuesday.The business owners implored NIPDB to "stop making excuses" and rather devise solutions to create a space for local products.According to Gerald Dreyer, a consultant for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) market access and export promotion at NIPDB, the reason why local business owners struggle to penetrate the market in Namibia is because most shopping centres and stores aren&#039;t local, thus severely hindering the process."Most Namibian small business owners will be required to produce on a much larger scale for them to get a foot into the local market and have their products on the shelves of shops like Woolworths or Shoprite, for example. Many different issues, like funding and resources, may hinder this process even further," he said.The guide, which was finalised late last year, is packed with information on the different local fatty oils like marula and ximenia, highlighting the steps MSMEs need to take to have their products exported to Europe.Know-howNIPDB CEO Nangula Uaandja described the guide as a "companion" for MSMEs in the cosmetics sector."The global cosmetic market is characterised by its diversity, with consumers around the world having unique preferences and beauty standards. This guide takes a holistic approach, encompassing key aspects such as market research, regulatory compliance, packaging and labelling considerations, and logistics management, to name but a few,” Uuandja’s written introduction states in the guide.“By delving into these critical components, it equips you with the know-how to tailor your products effectively to the European market while ensuring compliance with local regulations," she explained.

Local cosmetic businesses decry lack of market access

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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Local cosmetic businesses decry lack of market access

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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