Namport tenders favour CSI drivers

The Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) committed itself to address the needs of entrepreneurs by awarding its tenders and projects to companies that push the agenda of empowering local communities. This undertaking was captured on paper when Namport signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Development Bank.
CEO of Namport, Bisey /Uirab said at the signing of the MoU at Walvis Bay last week that the DBN will assist in financing of Namibian companies and SMEs when awarded Namport tenders. “Going forward, all tenders to Namport projects must either be wholly Namibian entities, or they must partner into a joint venture arrangement with Namibian companies where a significant portion is with Namibians from previously disadvantaged backgrounds” /Uirab said. He acknowledged that some local businesses may not have the necessarily capital or know-how to take up the challenge. “For this reason, the collaboration between Namport and DBN comes in handy with direct possible future provision of financing by the DBN to Namport.” the Ports Authority boss said.

DBN will also consider financing the services phase of a housing development project for Namport employees where the mortgages will be issued by other financial institutions. “Furthermore, it is our wish that Namport and DBN will collaborate in education creating opportunities for SMEs to gain the necessary skills and capacity to participate in the tendering process both with Namport projects and other larger projects” /Uirab said. Namport has invested over N$20 million in corporate social investment across Namibia since the inception of the Namport Social Investment Fund in 2006. Commenting on the fund, /Uirab said. “The more we invested, the more we realized that the need is vast and the resources are few. We have also realised that our people have a desire to enhance their quality of life but have limited information about profitable SME ventures in various industries.”