Fix ease of doing business, Davos delegation told
Namibia fares poorly versus peers
It is critical for Namibia to improve its ease of doing business should investment pledges made at the summit come to fruition, economist Theo Klein said.
Government has been advised to improve the ease at which businesses are able to set up shop if it hopes to benefit from the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual summit, Simonis Storm economist Theo Klein said.
This after a visit to Davos, Switzerland, for the WEF by a high-level government delegation, led by President Hage Geingob, last week.
Namibia had been invited to the summit by WEF executive chairman Klaus Schwab as the country positions itself to gain from potential future investments in the green hydrogen space.
Reflecting on the visit, Klein said it is critical for Namibia to improve its ease of doing business should investment pledges made at the summit come to fruition.
Poor ease of business ranking
“It’s one thing to go to foreign platforms to market or sell Namibia as an attractive investment destination, but the question remains - when those foreign investors decide to go ahead with certain projects in Namibia, what will the experience be?” Klein asked on The Evening Review.
“Our ease of doing business is not very good if you compare us to other African countries,” he added.
Namibia is currently ranked 165th worldwide for ease of doing business, faring poorly compared to its sub-Saharan African peers. Botswana is ranked 159th, Malawi 153rd and South Africa 139th, while Mauritius – which holds the highest spot for ease of doing business on the African continent – is ranked 20th. Namibia’s score also does not match up favourably to the sub-Saharan African regional average of 139.
Foreign element important
“When those foreign investors come to our country, can they set up businesses easily? Can they find land easily to set up their projects? How easily can they get things started?” Klein questioned.
“We know we still have a lot of challenges we need to address, so that remains a concern,” he added.
Namibia will also need to look at the ease at which expatriates can get permits to work in Namibia, with Klein pointing out that the country is not projecting itself as pro-business.
“We know there is a lot of money that can come to Namibia. The problem is public administration and ease of doing business. We don’t have a pro-business environment. We are not always very welcoming to foreigners from a home affairs perspective; foreigners struggle to get working permits... those are the problems government needs to resolve,” he said.
This after a visit to Davos, Switzerland, for the WEF by a high-level government delegation, led by President Hage Geingob, last week.
Namibia had been invited to the summit by WEF executive chairman Klaus Schwab as the country positions itself to gain from potential future investments in the green hydrogen space.
Reflecting on the visit, Klein said it is critical for Namibia to improve its ease of doing business should investment pledges made at the summit come to fruition.
Poor ease of business ranking
“It’s one thing to go to foreign platforms to market or sell Namibia as an attractive investment destination, but the question remains - when those foreign investors decide to go ahead with certain projects in Namibia, what will the experience be?” Klein asked on The Evening Review.
“Our ease of doing business is not very good if you compare us to other African countries,” he added.
Namibia is currently ranked 165th worldwide for ease of doing business, faring poorly compared to its sub-Saharan African peers. Botswana is ranked 159th, Malawi 153rd and South Africa 139th, while Mauritius – which holds the highest spot for ease of doing business on the African continent – is ranked 20th. Namibia’s score also does not match up favourably to the sub-Saharan African regional average of 139.
Foreign element important
“When those foreign investors come to our country, can they set up businesses easily? Can they find land easily to set up their projects? How easily can they get things started?” Klein questioned.
“We know we still have a lot of challenges we need to address, so that remains a concern,” he added.
Namibia will also need to look at the ease at which expatriates can get permits to work in Namibia, with Klein pointing out that the country is not projecting itself as pro-business.
“We know there is a lot of money that can come to Namibia. The problem is public administration and ease of doing business. We don’t have a pro-business environment. We are not always very welcoming to foreigners from a home affairs perspective; foreigners struggle to get working permits... those are the problems government needs to resolve,” he said.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article