Niël Terblanché
Namibia scooped the first runner-up award in the ‘Best FDI Project’ category of the Investment Awards, hosted at the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2023 currently underway in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The award was presented to the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), the investment promotion agency for Namibia for its work with the Kelp Blue investment project.
The AIM bestows awards for the best FDI projects in each region of the world to recognize the accomplishment of the country in attracting sizable and beneficial investment projects and thus contributing to the economic growth and development of their markets.
Kelp Blue plans to plant giant kelp forests offshore to boost ocean health, sequester vast amounts of carbon and accelerate the shift to regenerative agriculture and will be operating from Lüderitz. Kelp Blue has so far created 45 permanent direct positions in Lüderitz and two in Windhoek, with a projection of 150 jobs to be created by 2024 and 200 by 2027.
The award was received on behalf of Namibia by NIPDB Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Nangula Nelulu Uaandja, at a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi on Monday night.
