Manufacturing of coffins in Namibia

ELIJAH MUKUBONDAEarlier this year, given the rise in Covid-19 deaths, Namibia anticipated a shortage of coffins or caskets and the funeral sectors seemed overwhelmed in trying to keep up with demand. Covid-19-related deaths, together with joblessness and decrease in salaries, were taking a financial toll not only on families, but also on the coffins production industry. Consequently, coffin manufacturers sought help from government to better serve the public during the pandemic and beyond. The Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT) was assigned to assess the country’s existing local capabilities to manufacture coffins by geographical locations as well as to identify possible Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and youth enterprises in each region with potential to manufacture coffins. Cabinet Directive No.3 of the Cabinet Decision No: 15th /31.08.21/006 directed MIT to develop and submit a feasible Business Plan on the Local Coffins and Caskets Manufacturing Scheme to be submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation for onward transmission to Social Security Commission for funding consideration.The Ministry’s assessment confirmed that local capacity exists, with over 50 local manufactures with a combined daily average of 860 coffins. However, available import data confirms very little integration within the sectoral value chain and inadequate sectoral development. ProcurementFurther interaction with local manufacturers indicated that coffins procured locally only takes on average a day or three at most for a coffin to be manufactured. This provides enough time for any necessary provisions. MIT is currently busy with the development of the Business Plan - a scheme to facilitate and promote backward linkages between local producers and major funeral undertakers while ensuring local value addition on our timbers from the country’s north-eastern regions. The proposed business models projects MIT as the convener and coordinate the project implementation through EMPRETEC Namibia. The entire business model encores around access to the market for local coffins and caskets manufacturers through regulated backward linkages among the industry players. The main objectives are to support local manufacturers, promote backward linkages through standards and price regulations, and protect and grow the local Industry.The MIT will steer the process, by collaborating with other Ministries and agencies, to ensure the completion of the project

Manufacturing of coffins in Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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Manufacturing of coffins in Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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