Namibia-Meat grading.

NAMIBIA-THE MEAT INDUSTRY.

Early in 2008 the Namibian Manufacturers Association (NMA) held an Industrial Classification Study workshop, which was attended by representatives from the government and private sector.

The purpose of the workshop was to review the present Industrial Classification System including the definition of a manufacturer.

The main recommendations were the following:

- A new updated Industrial Classification System, including a new definition for "manufacturer" was proposed - the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Version 4.

- A new Application Evaluation Committee, consisting of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Ministry of Finance, National Planning Commission, NMA and National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was proposed. A timeframe for the evaluation of applications and publication of a list of recognized manufacturers for predictability, were also proposed.

These recommendations were submitted in April 2008 through the MTI to government and a final decision on the new definition for a "manufacturer", the procedure for applications etc. is expected soon. NMA members will be informed regarding progress.

After discussions with the MTI in this regard, the NMA formally applied early in August 2008 to this ministry to have a policy decision that denies a manufacturing status meat and fish processing industries be withdrawn.