Namibia targets global investors in UAE

Namibia targets global investors in UAE

NIPDB, FNB support MSME’s with potential

AIM is an influential platform that brings together investors, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world to foster economic growth and international cooperation.

As FNB Namibia, we feel that it is our obligation to support initiatives that will grow MSMEs, not because we want to but because we need to. Jeffrey Katjivena, Area Business Manager: FNB

Staff Reporter

The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has coordinated the country's participation at the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) 2023, taking place from 8 May to 11 May 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

AIM is an influential platform that brings together investors, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world to foster economic growth and international cooperation. Namibia's involvement in this meeting underscores its commitment to attracting investment, diversifying its economy, and establishing itself as a prime destination for global investors seeking growth and diversity in emerging markets.

As part of the key activities at AIM, Namibia will take centre stage during its country presentation on Monday, 08 May 2023. Additionally, the NIPDB, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer, Nangula Uaandja will host two business forums with the objective of positioning Namibia as a lucrative investment destination and highlighting the investment opportunities the country has to offer.

The sessions will be hosted on 10 May 2023 in Abu Dhabi and the second on 11 May 2023 in Dubai.

As an emerging market that is competing for investment dollars with other countries in Africa and beyond, it is imperative for Namibia to maintain a continuous persistent presence particularly at investment focused events in order to create awareness of the country’s vast investment potential. Through these awareness creation efforts, Namibia has captured the attention of the Global Energy Community with its potential and focused strategy towards clean hydrogen production and the recent significant oil and gas discoveries, both onshore and offshore.

These added to the country’s position as the second largest producer of uranium, its biomass potential and abundant wind and solar resource, present unparalleled investment opportunities in the energy sector.

Exports

Furthermore, as the only African country that exports beef to China, the EU and USA, Namibia presents investment opportunities in agriculture and is making moves to compete at a global level in the small livestock meat, dates, blueberries and grapes sub-sectors.

In addition to showcasing the country's investment opportunities, the NIPDB in partnership with FNB Namibia, will support five Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with high growth potential to participate on the margins of the event by attending business meetings with the objective to form partnerships that can help their business access new markets and grow. “As FNB Namibia, we feel that it is our obligation to support initiatives that will grow MSMEs, not because we want to but because we need to. We have, thus, committed to sponsor N$100,000 towards the NIPDB High Potential Pool, which will go to the five MSMEs“, said FNB’s Area Business Manager for the Central Cluster, Jeffrey Katjivena.

Namibia's MSMEs play a crucial role in job creation, economic growth, and poverty reduction, and the NIPDB, through its mandate as a lead coordinator of MSME activities across all levers of the economy, aims to facilitate their integration into global value chains and promote partnerships with international investors.