DBN to participate at the Erongo Expo.
The Development Bank of Namibia announced this week it will participate in next week’s Erongo Business and Tourism Expo.The bank’s Senior Communication Manager, Jerome Mutumba said they are targeting visitors from other towns in the Erongo region who do not visit Walvis Bay regularly, where the bank operates from in the region.
According to Mutumba, the region can be further strengthened in four enterprise areas :manufacturing, transport and logistics, light and heavy industry and tourism.
In terms of manufacturing, Mutumba said there is room for growth and diversification of existing enterprises, as well as start-ups. He said that manufacturing can benefit from the Walvis Bay Corridor, and trade with neighbouring countries. He identifies the Walvis Bay Corridor and the benefits of SADC regionalisation as a stimulus for enterprise growth in the transport and logistics sector.
Upon light and heavy industry, Mutumba pointed to the fact that support of these operations will be required for growth of the Erongo mining sector, as well as the Port of Walvis Bay and associated marine activity.
On tourism, he noted that it can be further developed through the establishment of additional enterprises in the accommodation and restaurants sub-sector. He said, although Walvis Bay and Swakopmund have a high degree of activity in this field, there is room for additional capacity in smaller Erongo centres and conservancies.
For infrastructure investment, Mutumba urged local authorities to consider the requirement for forward-looking plans to accommodate population growth in the region and growth of enterprises.
He pointed water provision as one area that is currently receiving priority consideration. Also priority should be pointed towards servicing of land for affordable housing, electricity requirements and construction of roads, as requirements for the sustainability of the region in decades to come, Mutumba added.
The Development Bank has a long and successful track record in Erongo, with total loans extended exceeding N$1.9 billion. This money created 1703 permanent jobs and 2424 temporary jobs, most of these in construction, utilities, real estate & business services and manufacturing.
