Corridor Group welcomes new board members
The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) recently welcomed three new board members, of which two are women.Susan Beukes representing the Ministry of Finance and Petrina Nakale representing the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development, join Riaan Lottering from the Walvis Bay Port Users Association (WBPUA) as the WBCG’s newest board members.
The addition of the two women board members, as part of the WBCG’s strategy is to continually remain ahead of the robust industry through understanding the benefits of gender diversity. Chairman of the Board, Bisey Uirab said that the gender diversity on company boards is important to sustain performance.
Speaking on the appointment, Beukes said as a women serving on the WBCG Board, this new found leadership role allows her to add significant value to the logistics industry. As Deputy Commissioner for Trade Facilitation, Beukes is already part of a team that harnesses trade facilitation and the movement of trade through the country’s corridor web.
“As an officer serving in customs for 27 years, I am constantly looking for ways I can assist in ensuring the more efficient movement of cargo. Broadening the composition of the board helps and to my fellow members perspectives,” she added.
Equally so, Director for Industrial Development, Nakale said that this is an opportunity where she can articulate the importance of Namibia’s corridors and ensure that they are regarded as a catalyst for economic development, which is in line with the country’s Growth at Home Strategy.
“In addition to my 17 years of service for the Ministry, this opportunity further recognizes the positive contribution that women can make pertaining to issues that shape our development in the transport and logistics sub-sectors as well as with respect to issues of governance,” Nakale said.
Chairperson of the Walvis Bay Port Users Association, Riaan Lottering said that the benefit of this board falls from the well of knowledge and experience each individual can further employ to ensure more successful trade and transport facilitation within Namibia.
“Serving on this board further ensures that problems of a common nature are effectively resolved as member representation has been diversified,” Lottering said.
Uirab congratulated the new board members on joining the WBCG board, stating that with its new Board, the company looks forward to another decade of steering and facilitating trade efficiently and effectively.
