Namibian-assembled vehicles expected by November 2018: Geingob

WINDHOEK, 12 APR  – The first vehicles assembled in Namibia are expected to roll off the Walvis Bay automotive assembling factory belt by November this year, President Hage Geingob said in his State of the Nation Address in the capital on Wednesday.
This comes after the Namibian government, through the Namibia Development Corporation, earlier this year signed an agreement of about N.dollars 190 million with French firm, Groupe PSA, for the construction of an assembling plant for Opel and Peugeot vehicles at Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region.
Geingob said a number of Namibian graduates from vocational training centres will undergo immersion training at the Peugeot factory in France during the second half of this year to obtain the necessary skills for the operation of the plant.
“The operations of this vehicles assembling factory will significantly enhance Namibia’s industrial capacity, contributing towards skills transfer and employment creation,” said Geingob.
Furthermore, the president said the construction of the Keetmanshoop furniture manufacturing plant in the //Kharas Region has been completed and the factory is fully equipped.
A lease agreement in respect of this plant was signed with the project promoter, and production is expected to commence towards the second half of this year.
The Namibian Head of State also made public that the construction of the fully equipped Keetmanshoop garment manufacturing factory has been completed and is ready for commissioning upon the appointment of the operator.
In addition, Geingob announced that the servicing of 24 hectares of industrial land at Brakwater in the Khomas Region will be completed during the current financial year.
The servicing of another 34 hectares of industrial land at Walvis Bay (!Nara Namib Industrial Park) will also be completed during the current financial year.
“Eventually, this site will reach 400 hectares and will be turned into an industrial park for local and international companies.” About four hectares have been availed for the construction of a beef cold storage facility within the !Nara Namib Industrial Park, and the establishment of this facility is a vital cog in Namibia’s quest to develop the meat export capacity.
According to Geingob, it will enable Namibia to export beef via Walvis Bay instead of exporting through the ports of neighbouring countries.
Finally, Geingob said the recently introduced Marine Resources Scorecard on the allocation of fishing quotas will enhance transparency in the allocation of quotas to right holders.
“The aim of this scorecard is not to disadvantage major players in the fishing industry that contribute positively to national development. The scorecard will be instrumental in ensuring equitable distribution of the country’s fisheries resources,” he added.

NAMPA