Investors scope out KhorixasNorth-central Namibia’s former capital has more to offer the world than just national monuments and rock art. Second development conference considers merits The business community last week focused its attention on the southern Kunene Region town of Khorixas, as the town council hosted its second annual Khorixas Local Economic Development Conference.Addressing the business community, investors, government representatives, educators and traditional leaders at the official opening on Friday, minister of works and transport Alpheus !Naruseb implored all to consider how they could help add value to the area.
This year’s conference took place under the theme ‘Khorixas, the ideal investment destination of choice’.
In that regard, he recognised the forum’s identifying of four pillars, namely tourism, agriculture, mining and education, as critical success points for the national economy and the development of Khorixas in particular.
“Khorixas is the gateway to a number of tourist attractions in northern Kunene, including the World Heritage Park Twyfelfontein, the Organ Pipes, the Welwitschia mirabilis, the Petrified Forest or Hai-Kais, and multiple tourism establishments sprouting along the Arid Eden tourist route,” !Nariseb said.
He urged tourism industry players to keep in mind environmental sustainability in their endeavours, while ensuring tourists feel free to move around the country without fear of violence or attack.
In terms of mining, he urged investors to look at ways in which minerals could be processed inside the country, “such that we enhance our manufacturing capacity and further add value to our own resources”.
“Markets should be explored not only abroad, but also within our country so that we can proudly own, wear and use our own mineral resources,” the minister said.
Moving his attention to education and Namibia’s perceived lack of a skilled workforce, !Naruseb said resources in urban centres were being exhausted due to inward migration from the rest of the country.
“I therefore encourage the creation, decentralisation and establishment of services in the regions, particularly in towns like Khorixas, so that we are able to share the burden of resource constraints.
“Establishment of vocational training institutions in smaller towns will better address the needs of our people, particularly those at grassroots level,” he said.
He urged delegates to seriously consider opportunities available at the town and promote it as a viable selling point to other investors.
“National statistics from institutions such as the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) show that Kunene is one of the regions with the fewest projects being funded,” the minister said.
“This ailment should be addressed critically by policymakers, planners and business personalities so that we can tap into untapped markets to host opportunities ensuring that no one is left out.”
DENVER ISAACS