National News – Page 310

25 Aug

Namibia embarks on national brand development to solidify global investment positioning

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Stefanus Nashama Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), says the country’s current marketing strategy is not likely to attract an inflow of foreign direct investments or boost tourism, which are both essential to stimulating economic activities and growth unless urgent steps to develop a national brand are taken. In a media statement the NIPDB Senior Manager for Marketing, Branding and Communications, Catherine Shipushu said as an emerging market, Namibia finds herself frequently competing, either directly or indirectly, with other nations to capture the attention of investors. The current perception of Namibia as ‘Africa’s best-kept secret’ is not likely to…

25 Aug

Shrinking construction industry contributes to high interest rates

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Martin Endjala Construction Industry Federation of Namibia Chief Executive Officer, Barbel Kirchner, has attributed the reduction of activities in the construction industry to higher interest rates at local commercial banks. While responding to Windhoek Observer questions this week on the ever-declining activities in the industry, Kirchner said the decline can be a result of increased interest rates on borrowing money from local banks for construction work. Kirchner said with an increase in borrowing costs, one would automatically see that it is increasingly difficult to finance building and construction projects, which impacts building activity negatively as affordability reduces the demand for…

25 Aug

Individuals employed outside the mining sector will still feel the economic pinch

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Martin Endjala Despite the announcement by the Bank of Namibia (BoN) this week that the economy is projected to grow by 3.3 percent in the current financial year and in 2024, individuals working outside the mining sector will continue to feel the economic pinch. Economist Ruusa Nandago, told Windhoek Observer this week that the forecasts by the Bank of Namibia are in line with those of FNB as they have also forecasted a 3.3 percent growth for 2023. She is of the view that this growth will be predominantly driven by mining production and exploration activities. She, however, added that…

25 Aug

NBWPF embarks on nationwide roadshow

info_e12wt4csNational News, Observer Money

Martin Endjala The Namibia Building Workers Pension Fund (NBWPF) has announced the commencement of its nationwide roadshow aimed at providing workers with essential information about good personal financial management practices. The campaign started on Monday, 21 August 2023, and will continue until 4 September 2023. The roadshow will cover all regions, including 19 towns and villages as part of its commitment to ensuring that all building and construction workers in Namibia have access to essential information that will help them with their pension fund and retirement planning. The roadshow aims to reach out to as many employees in the building…

24 Aug

NAC decries hijacking of air cargo warehouse at HKIA

info_e12wt4csNational News(PAS) at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA), NAC decries hijacking of air cargo warehouse at HKIA

Niël Terblanché Menzies Aviation Namibia’s blatant refusal to hand over cargo handling responsibilities to Paragon Aviation Services (PAS) at the Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) has left the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) flabbergasted. Bisey/Uirab, the Chief Executive Officer of the NAC in a statement said that it is rather unfortunate that both Menzies and the relevant freight forwarders’ organisation did not respond to NAC’s request to hand over responsibilities. The refusal resulted in critical medication and vital cargo getting stuck in the air cargo warehouse for almost a week. “The aim was to remedially address the cargo situation at HKIA…

24 Aug

NCAA educates Namibia Logistics Association about Standards

info_e12wt4csNational NewsNCAA educates Namibia Logistics Association about Standards, Paragon Aviation Services’ Regulated Agents Certification (RA3 certification), Toska Sem

Niël Terblanché In an apparent rebuke of an uninformed campaign aimed at discrediting certain Namibian public institutions in the aviation industry as well as Paragon Aviation Services, the NCAA issued a statement setting the record straight about aviation standards. The NCAA reminded the naysayers that certain certifications regarding the provision of ground handling services are exclusive to the European Union (EU). Harald Schmidt, the Secretary General of the Namibia Logistic Association (NLA) in a letter to the NCAA, enquired about Paragon Aviation Services’ Regulated Agents Certification (RA3 certification) as required under EU regulations and the post holding ground holding regulations…

24 Aug

Swapo is still popular countrywide: Amukwiyu

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Stefanus Nashama Swapo’s Oshikoto regional coordinator, Armas Amukwiyu, said the party is still popular across the country despite other political players suggesting that it has reached its expiry date among the electorate. Amukwiyu was responding to remarks made by Landless Peoples Movement leader, Bernadus Swartbooi, who claimed that Swapo has lost its popularity in the northern regions where it enjoyed major support in the past. While addressing a press conference in Outjo yesterday, Swartbooi said that he was recently in the northern regions and he was shocked to discover that Swapo is no longer wanted there. “I was in the…

24 Aug

Geingob attends BRICS summit

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAlfredo Hengari, BRICS-Africa Outreach, Geingob attends BRICS summit

Stefanus Nashama President Hage Geingob has left Namibia to attend and participate in the BRICS-Africa Outreach and the BRICS Plus Dialogues in Johannesburg, South Africa. According to Presidential Spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari, the summit is running for three days and has already started on Tuesday. The summit will end today. Hengari indicated that the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue focuses on drawing continuity and building from the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogues, which have been convened in the past. He said the sub-theme for this year’s summit is “Working towards the realisation of the African Aspiration”. BRICS is a…

24 Aug

Oshana Region is an ideal investment destination: Nandi-Ndeitwah

info_e12wt4csNational NewsOshana Region is an ideal investment destination: Nandi-Ndeitwah

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Oshana Region is a prime investment destination, offering a favourable business environment and a range of untapped opportunities. Nandi-Ndeitwah made these remarks yesterday at the Oshana Investment Conference which is presented under the theme: “IgnitingEeconomic Growth”. She said Oshana’s strategic location, fertile lands and abundant resources, the region serves as one of the gateways to a thriving economy in Namibia. While highlighting what is required from leaders, she said it is important to prioritise investment in infrastructure development within the region, such as improving road networks, electricity and water supply systems.…

24 Aug

Heroes Day budget increased to over N$2 million

info_e12wt4csNational NewsAudrin Mathe, Heroes Day budget increased to over N$2 million, N$550 000

Hertta-Maria Amutenja The Executive Director of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Audrin Mathe, has disclosed that Government has raised the budget for the upcoming Heroes’ Day commemoration to N$2,042,770.59 million. This is a significant increase from the initial figure of N$550 000 for the 33rd Heroes’ Day event scheduled for August 26 in Windhoek. According to Mathe’s breakdown of the budget, N$1,207,816.62 was allocated for catering while N$394,295,67 will be spent on information, N$259,875,67 for logistics, N$32,782,50 for protocol and N$148,000 for entertainment. Mathe did not disclose which companies are contracted to provide services for the one-day event.…