The British High Commission used the opportunity of the UK Minister for Africa’s visit to Namibia this month to launch a new British Business Group (Namibia) on 1 November.
On my arrival to Namibia earlier this year, I was delighted to discover a wide range of British businesses operating here. British companies are active across the mining, oil & gas, marine services, tourism and infrastructure development sectors. I met with many such companies individually and learnt about their own views of the challenges and opportunities of operating in Namibia. There were many cross-cutting issues being raised. It was also clear that the more established companies had amassed plenty of pertinent experience that would be of great benefit to a wider group.
Facing more and more calls from British companies inquiring about commercial prospects in Namibia, it seemed a natural move to set up a forum to get everyone together to share experiences and advice. The British business was overwhelmingly receptive to the idea and the British Business Group (Namibia) was born this month.
The handful of original companies has grown to a dozen, including big London-listed mining giants like Rio Tinto/Rossing, smaller but growing mining operators like Weatherly and newer arrivals to the marine services sector like Rolls Royce Marine. British run local tourism operators have also been included as they provide a useful link to the more than 30,000 British nationals that travel to Namibia each year and play a major role in the tourism sector here.
It is still early days for the group, but we plan to meet about once a quarter and provide an information-sharing platform, where advice can be sought and exchanged, and hurdles to successful trade identified. Trouble-shooting assistance can be requested from the mission and relevant issues raised in official calls to help facilitate smooth commercial transactions and contribute to our governments’ common goal of boosting trade and investment totals. We also plan to invite guest speakers to address the group.
We were delighted that our launch meeting was graced by the presence of Namibian Trade & Industry Minister Hage Geingob (who altered his return flight from the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Australia to be able to make the launch) and the Director General of the National Planning Commission Tom Alweendo. Both senior Namibian officials were able to update the group on current Namibian trade policies and plans.
The British business men present (sadly, I was the only lady) were in turn able to use the opportunity of their presence to raise practical issues and seek assurances from the Namibian government on the implications of recent commercial policy announcements. Issues discussed included difficulties faced in securing vital work permits; the need for greater transparency in awarding of natural resource licences; discrepancies in statistical data; and a plea for more consultation with the private sector before major commercial policies are announced.
At the end of the lunch meeting, Trade Minister Geingob welcomed the free and frank discussions and declared that his door was always open for further engagement. He also urged British business to make use of the Economic and Trade Committee as an additional platform to address issues.
It was an auspicious start to the group’s activities. I welcome inquiries from any other British businesses working, or thinking of working, in Namibia. Ideas for future events and themed discussions would also be gratefully received. I look forward to meeting everyone again in the New Year.