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Arandis back on the map

Florida Husselmann, Chief Executive Officer of Arandis Town, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Tjekero Tweya and Daniel Muhuura, Mayor of Arandis at the launch of the Arandis Investment Conference and Mineral, Mining and Energy Expo at the Ministry of Trade and Industry late last year. (Photograph by Lorato Khobetsi)

Florida Husselmann, Chief Executive Officer of Arandis Town, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Tjekero Tweya and Daniel Muhuura, Mayor of Arandis at the launch of the Arandis Investment Conference and Mineral, Mining and Energy Expo at the Ministry of Trade and Industry late last year. (Photograph by Lorato Khobetsi)

A major investment conference in Arandis, scheduled for April, is fast gaining momentum. The Arandis Investment Conference which will be hosted together with the first-ever Mineral, Mining and Energy Expo, is positioned as a catalyst for investment spin-offs specifically for the town of Arandis.
The conference is scheduled to take place from 25 to 27 April 2013 at the Namibia Institute of Mining and Technology campus under the theme “ Arandis Finding Financial Solutions for Development Initiatives.” Meanwhile, the start to the Husab Project has also been announced, adding additional weight to the ministry’s efforts. Given the need to accommodate around 4000 construction workers, Arandis is expected to boom before the end of this year.
The 2-day conference will focus on the investment potential that Arandis holds due to its strategic geographical location and the potential for the town’s growth in industrialisation, education and mining , particularly in servicing the mining industry in the Erongo Region.
According to Florida Husselmann, Chief Executive Officer of Arandis Town, the conference will elevate the economic status of the town from being a mine-dependent town to an independent and sustainable town. Through this elevation, the people of the town will be empowered through employment opportunities and new business ideas.
“With the Marketing of the Conference, it is our aim to attract regional international investors as well as promoting Arandis as an investment hub, positioning Arandis regionally, nationally and internationally and attracting new investments,” she said.
She said that the conference is also beneficial to the Arandis community because the recommendations that will be formulated during the conference will aid the Council to develop its local economy, especially in terms of the theme: Finding Financial Solutions for Sustainable Development Initiatives.
As an immediate benefit “the Conference and Expo will also attract visitors to Arandis, thus, a direct benefit to the locals. Job opportunities to the local community will also be available for example: catering, security, etc. Local SME’s will also have the opportunity to showcase their products at the EXPO and enter new markets,” she added.
Husselmann said that the conference aims to attract 150 participants and 90 exhibitors and that the Council have approached key speakers from different sectors representing Industry, Education and Tourism which include amongst others, the patron of the conference and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Tjekero Tweya, the Governor of the Erongo Region, Hon. Cleophas Mutjavikua and the Mayor of Arandis, Hon. Daniel Muhuura.
“The conference will showcase developments in the three sectors. Council has budgeted N$300,000, but the additional cost must be covered through sponsorships. Registration for the conference was launched on 05 February 2013,” said Husselmann.
The Council is extending an invitation to serious investors to attend the investors conference and to come and experience the first ever Mineral, Mining and Energy Expo.

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