High level economic panel to host two-day summit as catalyst for returning to growth
The High Level Panel on the Namibian Economy has embarked on its first major public event announcing that it will host an economic growth summit at the end of this month.
Panel Chairman, Mr Johannes Gawaxab of EOS Capital, stated that the High Level Panel has been tasked to identify opportunities for economic recovery and mass employment creation by leveraging private sector capital.
“An immediate deliverable for this Panel will be to coordinate the hosting of a two-day Economic Growth Summit. The summit will take place on the 31st July – 01st August 2019 at the Safari Court and Conference Centre in Windhoek,” he said.
The summit’s immediate goal is to restore business confidence which it hopes to achieve by an undertaking from the government that it will provide policy clarity on pending issues so that investors know where they stand in terms of investment risk. It is envisaged that this announcement will be made at the summit.
Furthermore, the summit will serve as a kickstarter for the US$ 1 billion in new investments that the High Level Panel has set itself as a target to achieve over the next 24 months
Under the theme “Economic Revival for Inclusive Growth – Strengthening the Namibian House” the summit is a private sector led initiative hosted and coordinated by the Panel. Therefore, the summit will be entirely funded by the private sector. “Important to note that the preparations for the summit are currently in full swing and we will be ready to host our local, regional and international participants by the given dates.”
The organising committee has set a budget of N$3 million for the two-day summit, indicating its conservative approach since the previous Economic Investment Forum cost around N$11 million.
Day One will consist of two plenaries and various breakaway sessions. Plenary 1 will unpack the theme “Economic Revival for Inclusive Growth – Strengthening the Namibia House,” while Plenary 2 will dissect infrastructure development as a key enabler for industrialisation and further economic development.
In the breakaway sessions, the most important debates will cover employment creation, the utilisation of natural resources, the role of Public Private Partnerships, ways to supply affordable housing, strategies to promote manufacturing, promoting Namibia as a preferred investment and tourism destination, the provision of affordable energy, means to address the recurring water crises and growth opportunities that arise from regional integration.
The summit will be officially opened by the President, HE Dr. Hage Geingob, on 31 July 2019.
