President Hage Geingob has emphasised that industrial development should be at the core of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region development, as it holds the key to the diversification of the region’s economy.
Geingob, speaking at the official opening of the Swakopmund International Trade Expo (SWAiTEX) here Wednesday, said that industrialisation would enable the region to expand its productive capacity.
“This will in turn help us make more efficient use of our natural resources so that we are able to create more employment opportunities for our people.
As a result, as our economies become more sustainable, inclusive and growth-oriented, this will enable us to effectively tackle the scourge of poverty and hunger,” he noted.
SWAiTEX, a flagship annual event organised by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) for exhibitors within Namibia and across the continent to showcase their products and services, is being held in conjunction with the Zambia-Namibia Business Seminar.
Geingob said the SWAiTEX plays a significant role in promoting cooperation and economic integration and that it is his belief that Namibia and Zambia can use the platform to advance bilateral relations, most specifically trade and investment, into a new era of enhanced cooperation.
“As Africa is marching towards prosperity, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development, as encapsulated in Agenda 2063, we should be cognizant of the fact that we can only achieve the Africa we want through rapid economic development,” Geingob stated.
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, who was the keynote speaker at the event encouraged the business sector to enter joint ventures with the government as it is placed to make things happen for the greater good of the people.
“It is essential to do things that have broader stakeholder acceptance because if we do not, we leave out the category of stakeholders such citizens, industries, among others unemployed, we are actually creating a threat on our own businesses.
So the best insurance policy is to embrace different components and facets of communities so that our own investments are safe,” Hichilema stressed.
The SWAiTEX ends on Saturday.