Namibia Market Entry

Basic conditions for the use of Czech goods on the market

Subchapters:

Market entry
Forms and conditions of operation on the market
Marketing and Communications
Issues of intellectual property protection
Public procurement market
Payment terms, payment ethics and resolution of commercial disputes
Visas, fees, specific conditions of travel to the territory
Employment of citizens from the Czech Republic
Fairs and events

Market entry

In accordance with the current Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the countries of the Southern African Development Community, which has been applied since 2016, it is possible to import most commodities into Namibia freely and duty-free. Only for a group of selected items is it necessary to have an import permit (so-called Import Permit), phytosanitary or veterinary or another certificate. Documentation requirements and customs tariffs for specific goods can be searched (by HS codes) in the Market AccessDatabase of the European Commission. Useful information, an overview of import and export requirements and tariffs, including the current amount of VAT, are available on the website of the Namibia Revenue Agency. Check smber for agriculture and fishing facts of Namibia.

Forms and conditions of operation on the market

The Namibian market is relatively mature. Due to the geographical distance and the specificity of the market, it is desirable to use local representatives who are familiar with the environment or according to the nature of the distributor’s goods when exporting. In the case of government contracts, a registered branch in Namibia or a local company of the partner submitting the offer is a necessary condition for participation in the tender. The Namibia Investment Center agency will help with the registration of a branch in Namibia. In the event that a Czech entity is considering establishing its own office or a joint venture, it is already possible to recommend using the services of this state institution. Many major companies and organizations (including, for example, hospital and hotel chains) in Namibia are linked to South African and other multinational companies. For these entities, the purchasing policy is managed by the parent organization abroad.

Marketing and communication

The Namibian market is relatively mature and highly competitive. Regular and high-quality promotion are the basic prerequisites for success in this market. In the field of advertising and marketing, there are a number of specialized companies and associations that provide service at a professional level. In the field of advertising, the usual advertisements are in daily newspapers and professional magazines, which are published by individual trade unions (food producers, mining industry, etc.) and also in electronic media and on social networks (especially via the Facebook and Instagram platforms).

To get contacts and an overview of the local market offer, it is recommended to participate in one of the fairs that take place in Namibia, an overview of them is available on the Namibia Trade Directory. The vast majority of fairs, exhibitions and conferences of regional importance are held in neighboring South Africa (to a lesser extent in Botswana and Angola) and are attended by the Namibian business sector and representatives of the state sector.

Issues of intellectual property protection

Namibia is a member of a number of international organizations and a signatory to most international conventions related to the protection of intellectual property, including the so-called TRIPS Agreement (The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) of the World Trade Organization. In practice, enforcement of intellectual property and copyright claims can be problematic.

Namibia is a signatory to the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) Convention; Paris Convention (Industrial Property); Berne Convention (for the protection of literary and artistic works); Patent Cooperation Treaty (Patents); Madrid Agreements (international registration of trademarks); Madrid Protocol (on the international registration of trademarks); Hague Agreements (on the international registration of industrial designs). The granting of trade marks is governed by the Namibian Trade Marks Act No. 48/1973Z and the Industrial Property Act 1, 2012. Namibia is also a member of the Berne Convention, so it is possible to protect copyright in the country like all other member countries automatically (more than 160 countries) within one application.

Legal support is provided by the Namibian Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Act, 1994 (Act 6 of 1994). In the area of patent granting, Namibia is a member of the PCT, ARIPO (African Regional Intellectual Property Organization), WTO and the International Convention. Although there is new patent legislation in Namibia, the area is governed by older legislation (eg the South African Act of 1916).

Public procurement market

The area of public procurement is governed by Act No. 15 of 2015 Public Procurement Act 15. The Central Tender Board of Namibia operates under the Ministry of Finance and is the responsible body for awarding contracts for goods and services. On the website of this institution and in the press, you can find information about published tenders and requests and specific conditions for submitting an application for these tenders. In Namibia, registered domestic suppliers have a price preference based on local share (minimum 30%). Despite the declared openness of the public procurement system, it is difficult to receive a contract without a connection with a local partner.

Payment terms, payment ethics and resolution of commercial disputes

The Namibian market is relatively mature, maintaining traditional business norms and etiquette. Business ethics are at a good level. Established companies usually do not allow themselves unsound dealings. Partial problems are bureaucracy and lack of transparency, especially in the government sector.

International payments are made in freely convertible currencies (USD, EUR and GBP can be used), on the other hand, Namibia is one of the countries that apply exchange controls. Only Namibian dollars or South African rand can be used in the internal trade.

It is recommended that a documentary letter of credit confirmed by a reputable bank be used for the export of consumer goods. In the case of a commercial dispute with a Namibian company, it is advisable to use the advisory assistance of a local law office, which is well acquainted with local customs and the legal system. An overview of law firms in Namibia based in Windhoek is available on the website of The Law Society of Namibia.

Visas, fees, specific conditions for traveling to the territory

The Czech Republic does not have a visa-free regime agreement with Namibia. Visas to enter Namibia are issued by the Embassy of the Republic of Namibia in Berlin. Information on travel to Namibia and conditions of entry are updated on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic (travel to Namibia chapter) and the Czech Embassy in Pretoria.

Malaria occurs in Namibia, mainly in the north and east (in the capital Windhoek and not in the south of the country). The tsetse fly, which spreads sleeping sickness, is rare in the north-east of the Caprivi region.

Mainly VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club credit cards are accepted in the country, but to a limited extent in more remote areas. Currency exchange must be done either at the airport, at larger border crossings or in large cities at banks or exchange offices and hotels, as exchange is not provided in more remote areas. The South African rand is also commonly accepted as currency, against which the Namibian dollar has a fixed exchange rate of one to one.

Namibia is in the same time zone as the Czechia, but due to summer time, both countries have the same time only for a few weeks in September and October. From November to March it is one hour more in Namibia, and from April to August one hour less than in the Czech Republic. The international phone code is +264. Namibia is a relatively safe country, however, it is not recommended to walk and unaccompanied in the capital Windhoek after dark.

Motor vehicles drive on the left, pedestrians also avoid on the left. Especially outside the larger agglomerations, there is a problem with the availability of health care. There is a significant difference between state medical facilities and quality private medical facilities, where treatment prices are high, so it is advisable to take out additional travel insurance to cover medical expenses with sufficient coverage.

Before the trip, it is recommended to register in the database of voluntary registration of citizens of the Czech Republic when traveling abroad (DROZD), which enables the embassy to effectively organize assistance to Czech citizens in the event of an unexpected event.

Employment of citizens from the Czech Republic

The conditions for employing foreigners are relatively simpler than, for example, in neighboring South Africa. An employed foreigner must prove himself with a long-term residence permit in Namibia. To obtain it, he must present a document confirming the purpose of his stay in the territory of Namibia and the address of his temporary residence in Namibia. For some industries, an extract from the criminal record is also required.

It offers assistance to foreign investors with processing work permits for employees of the so-called Namibia One Stop Shop, which falls under the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Development of Small and Medium Enterprises and the Namibia Investment Center (NIC). The requirements for applying for a work permit and other necessary information are listed on the Namibia One Stop Shop website.

An agreement on free medical care has not been concluded between the Czech Republic and Namibia, and its availability is also a problem. Czech citizens staying in Namibia for a long period of time are advised to take out health insurance for the payment of medical expenses abroad with sufficient coverage.

Fairs and events

An overview of trade fairs and events taking place in Namibia, the number of which is limited, can be found on the Namibia Trade Directory.

One of the traditional trade fairs held regularly in Windhoek is the Mining Expo & Conference Namibia.

The vast majority of exhibitions and conferences of regional importance are held in neighboring South Africa (to a lesser extent in Botswana or Angola) and are also attended by the Namibian business sector and representatives of the state sector – see the overview of the most important fairs in South Africa with an overlap into Namibia.

Practical telephone numbers (emergency services, police, firemen, information lines, etc.)

The telephone emergency line of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Pretoria +27 82 416 0016 can also be accessed on the WhatsApp and Viber applications and is intended exclusively for citizens of the Czech Republic in an emergency or threat to health or life.

Integrated rescue system: +264 61 211 111

Police: +264 61 10111

Windhoek City Police – Crime Prevention (non-stop service): +264 61 290 2239, +264 61 290 2018

MediClinic Windhoek private clinic: +264 61 22 9246 (emergency), +264 61 433 1000

Windhoek Central Hospital: +264 61 203 9111

ISOS International Air Ambulance Service: Tel: +264 61 23 0505, +264 61 23 24977

Mobile: +264 61 81 128 4888, +264 61 81 128 4889