Exports necessary to drive economy

Exports necessary to drive economyCall for broader inclusion of role players Planning minister Tom Alweendo this week called on the government to continue investing in the necessary economic infrastructure to help propel the economy towards industrialisation. NAMPA



Namibia’s economic sustainability can only be guaranteed through the promotion of an export-led economic development strategy, economic planning minister Tom Alweendo has said.

Opening a one-day government forum with development partners in the capital on Monday, Alweendo said the economic development strategy is to transform the country’s economy through industrialisation.

“This strategy requires us to continue investing in the necessary economic infrastructure, both hard and soft,” he said.

This would also require continued investment in high-level and relevant skills that can enhance competitiveness, said the minister.

He asked the development partners to join hands with the government in the transformation process, adding that more needed to be done in a number of areas of development.

Alweendo said Namibia’s economic growth needed to be more inclusive and create more employment opportunities, especially for young people.

He said the income generated from the economy should be shared on a more equitable basis among members of the society and to have them develop skills relevant to the envisioned growth.

“We need to pay particular attention to the quality of our human capital development.”

The forum, he said, aimed to ensure effectiveness of development assistance in support of national development plans, like the Harambee Prosperity Plan, and international goals such as Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.