Helao Nafidi holds cross-border trade promise

Cross-border trade between Namibia and Angola has benefited many residents of the five settlements that make up the Helao Nafidi Constituency in terms of job opportunities, improved service delivery and generating foreign exchange earnings for the State. This was said by Trade and Industry Minister Calle Schlettwein on Wednesday, speaking on behalf of President Hifikepunye Pohamba at the official opening of the 2013 Helao Nafidi Annual Business Expo. “It has also heightened the establishment and proclamation of the Helao Nafidi town, which today is one of the fastest growing towns in Namibia in terms of socio-economic growth," he said. Made up of the settlements of Omafo, Engela, Onhuno, Ohangwena and Oshikango, the area was remembered by the president as having been in the war zone of pre-independence Namibia. Its transformation into merchant settlements and towns began in 1996 with the government’s establishment of industrial parks. Assistance from the European Union led to further development of an export processing zone (EPZ) to accommodate companies engaged in light manufacturing and trade with Angola. “Our government is committed to promoting these local economic activities and initiatives that are geared towards achieving economic growth, job creation, accelerating business development and growth as well as entrepreneurial development in our economy,” Schlettwein said. He also announced government plans to construct a dry port at Oshikango, which he said would boost trade with Angola. The envisaged port would ease current container traffic and storage challenges, and complement the capacity of current warehousing facilities at the border town. “You are, therefore, encouraged to make use of these facilities once they are completed,” he said. OMAFO NAMPA