EAN to host economic conference

WINDHOEK, 03 SEP  – The Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) in collaboration with the Hans Seidel Foundation and The Namibian newspaper will host its annual economic conference here on Wednesday.
EAN provides a forum in which local economists from the private sector, state owned enterprises, government, tertiary institutions, civil society or International Cooperation Partners, can interact and share ideas, all within a neutral environment.
The conference, according to a media statement issued on Monday by EAN, will focus on questions surrounding Namibia’s high levels of inequality, and look at ways to reduce these in a pragmatic manner, through a strong focus on improved opportunity for the people.
“It is widely accepted that the high income inequality in the country, as reflected in the Gini-coefficient and other measures of inequality, is only a symptom of imbalances embedded in the socioeconomic system of the country,” the statement noted.
According to EAN, underlying factors that drive inequality such as access to quality education, health services, land and capital resources need to be unravelled, if Namibia is to move forward towards resolving this challenge.
The conference will also seek to bring logicality, information and balance to the debate around inequality, its causes as well as possible solutions.
Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo, is expected to officially open the conference, while the speakers will include high ranking government officials, private sector actors and members of the civil society.
About 250 participants, from both national and international organisations are expected to attend the conference.

NAMPA