Month: April 2024

SWAKOPMUND: There is a need for different stakeholders to participate in various regional and international trade agreements when actively seeking new investment opportunities and enhanced foreign market access.

This is according to the Executive Director in the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade (MIT), Sikongo Haihambo, who said in order to ensure maximised benefits from these engagements, stakeholders need to enhance their capacity and skills in trade policy and competitiveness analysis, trade statistics and negotiations skills, among others.

Haihambo was speaking on Monday at the opening of the five-day MIT training on trade policy and competitiveness analysis, trade statistics, trade negotiations skills, investment and trade promotion strategies, as well as Economic Partnership agreements (EPA) monitoring and evaluation at Swakopmund.

The training, which is being attended by officials from MIT, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and line ministries working on trade and investment r
elated issues, will accord participants a privilege of delving into critical areas of focus, including trade policy and competitive analysis.

‘Accordingly, the expected outcome after this training is for us to use acquired knowledge and skills to enhance Namibia’s export and investment competitiveness and maximise benefits from trade agreements that we are party to,’ he said.

The ED highlighted that the training is one of the ministry’s deliverables under its Strategic Objective 3 of the Financing Agreement, namely; ‘Enhanced use of EPA opportunities by private sector operators.’

‘The training also underscores our commitment to nurturing Namibia’s skills development, economic growth, contributing to the promotion of sustainable development and advancing regional integration.’

The participants will be equipped with information on statistical methods used in policy and investment analysis such as the Harvard Atlas of Economic Complexity, ABRAMS world trade wiki, as well as presentation by the Namibia Statis
tics Agency on local sources/databases on Namibia Trade Statistics.

Additionally, the topics are said to be essential pillars upon which collective efforts to navigate the complexities of the global marketplace and also lie at the very heart of Namibia’s mission to create an enabling environment for trade and investment, thereby catalysing economic prosperity and improving the livelihoods for the country’s citizens.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: The City of Windhoek (CoW) has confirmed the change in tap water to a brown shade in some areas of the capital, saying it is safe for consumption and is a result of the utilisation of boreholes to supplement supply.

In an interview with Nampa on Monday, CoW Spokesperson Harold Akwenye said the change experienced by some residents, particularly in areas like Windhoek West and Eros, is due to the natural mineral composition of the water from boreholes, which can differ from the usual water supply.

‘Despite the change in colour, it’s essential to assure residents that the water remains safe for consumption,’ he said.

Akwenye explained that CoW adheres to strict quality control measures to ensure that the water supplied to residents meets national drinking water standards, noting that while the brownish tint may be aesthetically unappealing, it does not compromise the safety or quality of the water.

He added that it is important for residents to understand that the current drought conditions have ne
cessitated the activation of alternative water sources, such as boreholes, to mitigate the impact of water shortages.

‘The City of Windhoek is actively working to address the issue and is continuously monitoring water quality to ensure the well-being of its residents. Residents are encouraged to report any concerns about water quality to the relevant authorities for prompt investigation and resolution,’ he noted.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

KEETMANSHOOP: The Namibia Local Content Conference is scheduled to take place in Lderitz in the ||Kharas Region from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

The conference is organised by Antila Consultancy Oil and Gas in conjunction with the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), and it is being held under the theme ‘Empowering Namibia’s Energy Ambitions by Connecting Industries and Indigenous Talent’.

In a statement issued to Nampa on Monday, NCCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charity Mwiya, described the conference as a distinctive platform for private sector players and government to interact, share experiences and identify investment and collaboration opportunities.

‘The conference will address key themes such as local content, capacity building, knowledge, and skills transfer, all of which have the potential to unlock growth and development in the oil and gas sector. It is an ideal platform for meaningful dialogue to foster and share information and encourage cooperation, identify local content oppo
rtunities, and create a sustainable energy sector in Namibia,’ she said.

Mwiya highlighted that the energy sector is not only a driver of economic prosperity, but also a catalyst for local development and empowerment, adding that local content is important in the energy sector as it can contribute not only to the growth of the industry, but also to the well-being of the communities in which businesses operate.

‘With recent oil and gas discoveries that suggest Namibia is on the verge of a historic oil boom, there is much work to be done to prepare local businesses, particularly MSMEs, for opportunities presented by this industry,’ said Mwiya.

Maria Mbudhi, CEO of Antila Oil and Gas, is quoted in the statement as saying, ‘This conference is testament to our collective belief that, by working together, we can overcome challenges, capitalise on opportunities, and chart a course towards a more sustainable, locally driven oil and gas sector, and the development of respective auxiliary industries.’

Mbudhi noted
that the conference is not merely about addressing challenges, but also about harnessing collective intelligence to co-create solutions that will stand the test of time, and finding ways to curb corruption.

‘We understand that true industry growth and resilience can only be achieved by cultivating a thriving ecosystem of local businesses, each contributing its unique strengths to the collective advancement of our sector,’ said Mbudhi.

Industry leaders, international oil companies, international service companies, and internationally registered delegates from countries such as Nigeria, Angola, India, Dubai and South Africa are expected to be in attendance

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: The Japanese government has funded two joint projects aimed at increasing access to quality nutrition for vulnerable Namibian communities to the tune of N.dollars 23.5 million over a period of 12 months.

The joint projects between the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations aim to ‘Increase access to quality nutrition and protection services for vulnerable populations, including women and children, in the Omaheke, Khomas and Kunene Regions.’

Another initiative, ‘Emergency response to enhance resilience and mitigate climate-induced impacts on livelihoods, food and nutrition security of the most vulnerable household in Namibia in the Kavango East, Kavango West and Ohangwena Regions,’ was also launched.

Speaking at the launch here on Monday, Japan’s Ambassador to Namibia, Hisao Nishimaki said the projects are funded under the Japan Supplementary Budget in support of the efforts of the Namibian Government. He said since 2013, 24 projects h
ave been funded and implemented successfully by various United Nations agencies to a total cost of N.dollars 320 million, excluding the two newly launched projects.

‘The need for support in the health and agriculture sectors is great since everybody needs health care and it is said that more than 70 per cent of the Namibian population depends on agriculture directly or indirectly,’ he said.

At the same event, WHO and FAO representative Dr Mary Brantuo said the projects will be carried out through the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, as well as regional councils.

She noted that the projects will increase access to nutrition interventions to prevent and manage malnutrition among women and children in their immediate communities; strengthen the protection of women and children against violence, exploitation and abuse; diversify rural livelihoods; and enhance food production capacity through the distribution of strategic assets and agro-inputs, amon
gst others.

‘Together we can make a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most,’ she said.

Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Kalumbi Shangula meanwhile said the scourge of malnutrition is being experienced in several communities in Namibia.

‘While it is a complex matter, the simplest understanding of malnutrition refers to the lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat, not eating enough of the right food, or the body of the person affected not being able to use the food that one does eat. For this reason, dealing with and eradicating malnutrition requires a multisectoral, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach,’ he noted.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Roads Authority (RA) has announced the introduction of learner’s license tests at the National Administration Traffic Information System (NaTIS) office in Omuthiya as from 26 April 2024.

RA spokesperson Hileni Fillemon in a statement on Monday said bookings for learner’s licence tests will commence on this date and will be available from Monday to Friday.

‘Customers seeking to book for learner’s licence tests should bring along a N.dollars 50 fee and a certified copy of their Identity Document (ID),’ said Fillemon.

She said bookings for learner’s licence testing can only be done in person as the RA does not have an online booking system. Operating hours at the Omuthiya NaTIS office are 08h00 until 15h30, Monday to Friday.

NaTIS spokesperson, Constance Mwilima said they are happy to be able to finally offer learner’s licence tests in Omuthiya as it could not be done when the office opened in 2020 due to a shortage of staff.

NaTIS currently operates from the Omuthiya Town Council building and offers se
rvices such as renewal of driver’s licences and other counter services.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Desmond Ernst Van Jaarsveld has been appointed as the new chief executive officer (CEO) of TransNamib.

Van Jaarsveld replaced Johny Smith, who left the company last year.

A press statement issued by TransNamib on Monday indicated that Van Jaarsveld takes up office as from 17 April 2024.

TransNamib Chairperson Theo Mberirua congratulated Van Jaarsveld on his appointment, saying he is an excellent addition to TransNamib. He said TransNamib and rail infrastructure play a critical role in positioning Namibia as a logistics leader in the region, and the board is confident that Van Jaarsveld will lead TransNamib towards sustainable growth.

He added that Van Jaarsveld has proved he is fit for the role and current challenges that TransNamib faces.

‘I am confident that his leadership at TransNamib will further strengthen our industry and benefit the company,’ Mberirua said.

The statement said Van Jaarsveld brings extensive experience in business and leadership to his new role at TransNamib, with over 30 years of
professional experience in various industries, including over 25 years which has been at senior executive leadership level within the transportation, logistics and distribution sectors within the Southern African region.

Van Jaarsveld holds a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from the University of Stellenbosch. He has also completed a Management Development Programme with the University of Stellenbosch Graduate Business School, amongst various other management and coaching certificates.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency