Fertile gateway to African markets
Geingob sells Namibia’s potential
Namibia’s human and natural resources offer limitless potential; it’s a commercial hub and channel to a Southern African region that represents a market of more than 300 million people, says President Hage Geingob.
“We have peace and democracy and many of our neighbours are landlocked; we will enable them to be sea-linked,” says Geingob. “We have educational facilities, our hospitals and schools are good, so Namibia is a place to base yourself and service the rest of Africa.
“Namibia is the jewel in Africa, that is why Angelina Jolie came to Namibia to deliver her baby there,” added Geingob.
Small investment, big potential
Situated on Africa’s south-western Atlantic Ocean seaboard, Namibia’s neighbouring countries are Angola to the north, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the east and South Africa to the south, making the country quite literally a portal of transit and commerce for the region. Namibia is already involved in major marine transport through the port of Walvis Bay, one of Africa’s most efficient ports, with the potential to provide the shortest route for cargo.
At present the World Bank rates Namibia as an “affluent and high-ranking, upper-middle income” country. Other indicators of Namibia’s favourable economic climate include low interest rates, fiscal stimulus, rapid household consumption growth, low inflation and the lack of restrictions on the repatriation of foreign capital with laws protecting the rights of foreign investors.
Geingob is actively implementing the Harambee Prosperity Plan intended to increase development and improve living standards for all Namibians. The Kiswahili word ‘Harambee’, which means ‘pull together in the same direction’, has been deliberately selected to call for unity and encourage Namibians to work toward a common purpose.
Namibia, often described as ‘Africa’s optimist’, is also promoting its Invest in Namibia Conference in early November. The conference will profile Namibia’s national trade and investment strategies as well as specific business opportunities in the sectors of energy, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and infrastructure development.
“We have peace and democracy and many of our neighbours are landlocked; we will enable them to be sea-linked,” says Geingob. “We have educational facilities, our hospitals and schools are good, so Namibia is a place to base yourself and service the rest of Africa.
“Namibia is the jewel in Africa, that is why Angelina Jolie came to Namibia to deliver her baby there,” added Geingob.
Small investment, big potential
Situated on Africa’s south-western Atlantic Ocean seaboard, Namibia’s neighbouring countries are Angola to the north, Botswana and Zimbabwe to the east and South Africa to the south, making the country quite literally a portal of transit and commerce for the region. Namibia is already involved in major marine transport through the port of Walvis Bay, one of Africa’s most efficient ports, with the potential to provide the shortest route for cargo.
At present the World Bank rates Namibia as an “affluent and high-ranking, upper-middle income” country. Other indicators of Namibia’s favourable economic climate include low interest rates, fiscal stimulus, rapid household consumption growth, low inflation and the lack of restrictions on the repatriation of foreign capital with laws protecting the rights of foreign investors.
Geingob is actively implementing the Harambee Prosperity Plan intended to increase development and improve living standards for all Namibians. The Kiswahili word ‘Harambee’, which means ‘pull together in the same direction’, has been deliberately selected to call for unity and encourage Namibians to work toward a common purpose.
Namibia, often described as ‘Africa’s optimist’, is also promoting its Invest in Namibia Conference in early November. The conference will profile Namibia’s national trade and investment strategies as well as specific business opportunities in the sectors of energy, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and infrastructure development.
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