Indigenisation Bill is investor friendly
The Affirmative Repositioning movement says it is not trying to scare off foreign investors with its bill on regulating land ownership.
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
The Affirmative Repositioning movement, which has submitted the Indigenisation Bill to National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi, says the bill is in no way a deterrent for foreign investors who would like to own land in Namibia.
The bill seeks to regulate land ownership by foreign nationals in Namibia. It was submitted by the movement to Katjavivi and is currently with the National Committee on the Constitution and Legal Affairs.
The movement's newly appointed envoy on the bill, Benedict Louw, moved to dismiss any notions that the bill was intended to disadvantage any foreign land owners. “The narrative that it will scare away investors is a scarecrow tactic. Investors invest in war-torn countries,” said Louw when asked about the potential implications of the bill.
“It's not a matter of foreigners or investors being chased away. If you are coming in and want to own land, it must either be on a lease basis or in a partnership with a Namibian. Foreigners cannot have land at the expense of Namibians,” he added.
Benedict said the movement was following up on resolutions that were taken at the land conferences held in 1991 and 2018.
According to Louw, the two conferences dealt with the issue of land ownership by foreign nationals.
“All we are saying is, these are the resolutions you came up with, follow up with what are your resolutions,” Louw said.
Louw added that genuine investors would have no problem following the laws of the country on land ownership. “Any genuine investor would have no problem prescribing to the laws of the country.”
Benedict says they are anticipating slow movement with regard to the hoped-for implementation of the bill.
“Government is not serious with addressing the land issue. We have submitted [the bill] and we will see it through to the last point. The Speaker needs to get serious with this matter. We are aware that there may be delaying tactics.”
Louw added that the movement would see it through to the last stage and canvass for its support in the meantime.
WINDHOEK
The Affirmative Repositioning movement, which has submitted the Indigenisation Bill to National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi, says the bill is in no way a deterrent for foreign investors who would like to own land in Namibia.
The bill seeks to regulate land ownership by foreign nationals in Namibia. It was submitted by the movement to Katjavivi and is currently with the National Committee on the Constitution and Legal Affairs.
The movement's newly appointed envoy on the bill, Benedict Louw, moved to dismiss any notions that the bill was intended to disadvantage any foreign land owners. “The narrative that it will scare away investors is a scarecrow tactic. Investors invest in war-torn countries,” said Louw when asked about the potential implications of the bill.
“It's not a matter of foreigners or investors being chased away. If you are coming in and want to own land, it must either be on a lease basis or in a partnership with a Namibian. Foreigners cannot have land at the expense of Namibians,” he added.
Benedict said the movement was following up on resolutions that were taken at the land conferences held in 1991 and 2018.
According to Louw, the two conferences dealt with the issue of land ownership by foreign nationals.
“All we are saying is, these are the resolutions you came up with, follow up with what are your resolutions,” Louw said.
Louw added that genuine investors would have no problem following the laws of the country on land ownership. “Any genuine investor would have no problem prescribing to the laws of the country.”
Benedict says they are anticipating slow movement with regard to the hoped-for implementation of the bill.
“Government is not serious with addressing the land issue. We have submitted [the bill] and we will see it through to the last point. The Speaker needs to get serious with this matter. We are aware that there may be delaying tactics.”
Louw added that the movement would see it through to the last stage and canvass for its support in the meantime.
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