Aviation contributes significantly to a country’s economic vitality, Bank Windhoek Managing Director, Baronice Hans has said.
During the inaugural Namibia Aviation and Connectivity Forum, held in the capital on Thursday, Hans stated that the bank’s contribution to the aviation industry embodies its core objective of being a connector of positive change.
“The aviation industry does not operate in a vacuum, nor is it isolated from the society in which it operates, it is part of a complex ecosystem that will necessitate our collaborative efforts to recover holistically, benefiting us all,” Hans stated.
The forum aims to serve as a platform for open and free discussion of the Namibian aviation sector as a matter of public interest, with the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) playing a central role in unifying the aviation industry and its related ecosystem.
The forum, sponsored by Bank Windhoek, will seek solutions on how aviation can play a key role in achieving national goals such as the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP), National Development Plans (NDPs), and the National Transport Policy.
Hans said the aviation industry was particularly hard hit by COVID-19, as lockdowns were widespread worldwide, exacerbating the economic turmoil.
“As Namibia moves toward a strong economic recovery, it is critical that we work together to capitalise on the full range of opportunities that will help the country’s economy. Our nation’s survival depends on our ability to navigate a post-pandemic reality with unity, cooperation and collaboration,” she stressed.
Chairperson of the NAC board, Leake Hangala said the forum represents a paradigm shift in Namibia, inspired by the country’s recent challenges and its desire and determination to breed excellence for the future.
He said the forum’s goal is to chart a new, enduring but sustainable vision for Namibia’s aviation industry, and that such a vision and programme must position Namibia at the forefront of connecting people and goods from region to region and country to continent.
“There is no doubt that the future of aviation and tourism are inextricably linked, and driving the aviation sector will entail finding innovative ways to reinvent the tourism industry. As a result, this forum will seek to strengthen the marriage between aviation and tourism in order to maximise their potential,” he stated.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
