Lüderitz Mayor Anna-Marie Hartzenberg said economic development in Lüderitz and the ||Kharas Region at large will need reliable and sustainable infrastructure in order to attract potential investors.
Hartzenberg made the remarks at the Namibia-Indonesia business forum here on Wednesday.
“Council is committed to sustainable economic growth, hence its goal is to ensure the acceleration of investment with the intent to attract more investors and developers. We have resources available that are not in other towns. We are committed to ensure implementation of investment projects because any economic growth is reliant on reliable and effective infrastructural development,” she said.
Hartzenberg stated that even though progress has been made in terms of economic development, there are still challenges such as the slow and sensitive process pertaining to the extension of the town boundaries, which is a huge concern for future land development and is hampered by restricted areas in the Sperrgebiet National Park and the mining areas.
“It is council’s conviction that the extension of town boundaries will allow for more land for industrial, business and residential development purposes,” she said.
Hartzenberg noted that the development of the planned Angra deep water port is one of the potential projects for investment, with the target being the Northern Cape market catchment of manganese, iron ore and coal.
The mayor noted that the development of the Lüderitz port has a competitive advantage over other ports in the Southern African Development Community inclusive of Walvis Bay due to its proximity to the Northern Cape.
“The development of the deep water port will create employment opportunities, boost capital inflow into the town and most importantly, generate revenue for the region and the country at large… The development of the planned port is in line with the current regional five-year strategic plan and Namibia’s national development goals,” she stressed.
Hartzenberg also said Lüderitz is heavily reliant on the fishing and mining sectors and there is room for investment in value addition to natural and marine resources. Other business opportunities could involve the establishment of vocational training centres, the development of wind power energy projects and the tourism sector, she added.
The one-day business forum was hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Namibia.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency
