Shrinking construction sector continues to hinder economic growth

Author: Staff Reporter

Shrinking construction sector continues to hinder economic growth

Posted by Staff Reporter | Jun 22, 2017 | Markets |

The economy continues to slide into further recession in the first quarter of 2017, according to the statistics agency, as the real Gross Domestic Product(GDP) for the first quarter of 2017 recorded a contraction of 2.7% compared to a 4.1% growth registered in the corresponding quarter of 2016. The Namibia Statistics Agency this week said the poor performance is mainly attributed to the construction, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade and hotels and restaurants sectors that contracted by 44.9%, 10.7%, 7.4% and 9.3% in real value added, respectively. The agency in their, economic update statistics furthermore said, slower growths were...

EBank facilitates digital banking with Fiorano

Posted by Staff Reporter | Jun 21, 2017 | Retail |

Enterprise integration provider, Fiorano Software this week announced that the 7th Commercial Bank in Namibia, EBank successfully implemented Fiorano ESB to fulfil integration requirements at the Bank. EBank was recently acquired by FNB Namibia Holdings and the two have a similar vision of achieving inclusive and broad-based banking in the country, primarily utilizing technology and mobile phone banking capabilities. The partnership will eventually enable the activation of FNB’s eWallet to EBank’s client base. In a statement, Ebank was specifically looking for an easy to configure middleware solution to handle a host of different interfaces with the ability to be...

Jaguar and Gorillaz recruiting tech-heads using games and technology

Posted by Staff Reporter | Jun 21, 2017 | Technology |

Jaguar Land Rover and Gorillaz are working together to recruit the next generation of world-class electronics and software engineering talent, with a code-breaking challenge found in the virtual band’s app. The best performers will be fast-tracked through the recruitment process, helping to meet Jaguar Land Rover’s ambition to employ thousands of bright new talents over the next year. It’s a major change in the way the business looks for candidates, aiming to tackle the engineering skills gap and inspire and attract a diverse range of talent and new thinking. “Can you crack the code? Put your skills to the...

Flight Centre’s MD clinches UAE deal

Posted by Staff Reporter | Jun 20, 2017 | Human Resources |

Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) Namibia and South Africa, Managing Director, Andrew Stark has been appointed to oversee the international travel company’s interests in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This brings to three the number of countries under Andrew’s management of the newly formed Middle East & Africa (MEA) region, which also includes Namibia and South Africa. Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) has announced that it will be including the group’s Middle East interests within the new Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region led by Chris Galanty, based in the United Kingdom. Heading up the Middle East as...

Ready-made traditional meals in packet – a game changer

Posted by Staff Reporter | Jun 19, 2017 | Retail |

For those who have a palate for traditional cuisines, African Deli a food manufacturer has brought to the market, a choice of the best traditionally inspired product that saves a considerable amount of time in preparation. Africa Deli’s with its Dinolo,traditional beef tripe ‘Matangara’ in a packet, have identified a niche and unique gap in the market for cost effective, tasty traditional food solutions. The food manufacturer last week invited the media for a tour of their N$70 million invested factory in Walvis Bay to witness the process of production, from start up to the finished product that customers...

Quarterly business confidence in tourism jumps compared to one year ago

Posted by Staff Reporter | Jun 19, 2017 | Tourism |

Reflecting the expected early-in-the-year lull in the tourism sector, the FNB/Fenata Tourism and Travel Index for the first quarter of this year shows a marked decline from the previous quarter but also that business has improved substantially since the first quarter of 2016. Although quarter on quarter, December 2016 to March 2017, the index declined by a substantial -20%, when compared to the first quarter of last year, the business performance indicator rose from 3.3 to 4.6 index points, an improvement of just over 39%. “Business performance dipped marginally since December [2016], with [only] 12% of the respondents stating...

Upgraded solar plant helps improve rhino surveillance and protection

Posted by Staff Reporter | Jun 16, 2017 | Environment |

The solar installation at the base camp of the Save the Rhino Trust, has just been upgraded extensively thanks to the contribution of the trust’s technical and financing partners. The new improved installation was inaugurated last week. The German Ambassador, HE Christian Schlaga and Mr Simson Uri-Khob, the Chief Operations Officer of the Trust unveiled the 56.4 kWh stationery off-grid photovoltaic solar system at their Palmwag Base Station. A Euro25,000 grant from the German Federal Foreign Office, channelled through the German Embassy in Windhoek, has enabled the Rhino trust to install the extensive upgrades to its power system. The...

Heavily armed Indian warship to dock in Walvis Bay

Posted by Staff Reporter | Jun 13, 2017 | Special Focus |

Equipped with cutting-edge weaponry which includes Supersonic Anti-ship missiles, advanced Surface-to-Air missiles, 100 mm Medium Range Gun, Close-in Weapon System, Anti-Submarine and Anti-Ship Torpedoes and Rocket Launchers, Indian Navy ship, INS Tarkash, will be make a Port Call at Walvis Bay from 15 to 18 June. India’s High Commission in Namibia announced this week that during the visit, the Commanding Officer of the ship is expected to pay courtesy calls to local leaders including senior defence officers of Namibia to discuss bilateral cooperation. The officers and sailors of the Indian warship will also have interaction with the Namibian Navy,...