FDN Seminar: Enhancing Namibia’s Competitiveness through Ease of Doing Business

One of the key objectives of the Forum of German-Speaking Namibians, which was formed in April 2021, is to promote Namibia as an attractive business location and to – should the occasion arise – act as mediator between local and foreign enterprises and institutions.

We believe that the public and private sector need to have a public dialogue on how we can improve the ease of doing business in Namibia which is now referred to as the BUSINESS READY (B-Ready) and what effects this may have on Namibia’s Competitiveness, especially in the light of current and future increases in volumes of investments. Other issues identified to be addressed are:

1. What must be done to unlock the full potential of local and international trade?
2. How can the private sector and local businesses lead Namibia’s development path?

The aim was to find solutions going forward, and in the panel discussion questions were addressed directly to public institutions such as the Ministry of Home Affairs – Immigration, NAMRA, BIPA, and the Master of the High Court. Contributions from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and local experts Rowland Brown and Robin Sherbourne enriched the debate.

Throughout the day, the discussions were conducted in a spirit of fairness and mutual respect. We remain convinced that the public and private sectors can move closer together in the interest of advancing Namibia jointly towards Vision 2030 / NDP6.

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Participating institutions
and representatives

Business Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA)
• Ms Ainna Kaundu – Acting CEO
• X: @bipa_nam

Namibia Revenue Agency (NAMRA)
• Mr Mahnaem Haidula – Head of Domestic Taxes
• Ms Victoria Weyulu – Senior Manager: Trade Facilitation
• X: @NamRA_org_na

Master of the High Court (MOHC)
• Ms Olivia Mutjavikua Kaune – Deputy Master

Ministry of Home Affairs – Immigration (MHA)
• Mr Deon Scott – Director: Visas, Permits, Passports and Citizenship

Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board (NIPDB)
• Ms Jessica Hauuanga – Executive: Investor Experience
• Ms Nangula Shejavali – Manager: Policy Reform and Business Climate
• X: @NIPDB

National Planning Commission (NPC)

Namibia Trade Forum
• Mr Rodney Hoaeb – Acting CEO

Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industries (NCCI)
• Mr Gabriel Erastus – Economist

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Programme

Download programme as PDF

08:30

Registration & Coffee

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09:00 – 09:15

Welcoming remarks (Harald Hecht, Chairperson)

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09:15 – 09:50

The Importance of Investments – Rowland Brown, Cirrus Capital

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09:50 – 10:00

Q&A

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10:00 – 10:20

Presentation: Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board (NIPDB)

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10:20 – 10:40

Coffee & Tea Break

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10:40 – 11:00

Questions from the floor

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11:00 – 12:30

Panel Discussion with Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, NAMRA, BIPA, Master of the High Court (Moderator: Benita Herma)

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12:30 – 13:00

Summary & Way Forward – Robin Sherbourne, Economist

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13:00

Seminar ends