The Minister of Industrialisation and Trade has commended the late President Hage Geingob for his dedication and leadership in spearheading efforts to revitalise Namibia’s industrial policy, facilitate trade, and integrate business systems.
Minister Lucia Iipumbu said Geingob was behind the establishment of the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) combining the Namibia Development Corporation (NDC) and the Offshore Development Corporation (ODC) into a new format to support the implementation of Namibia’s first industrial policy.
NIDA, which came into existence in 2018, was established in terms of Act 16 of 2016, to advance Namibia’s industrialisation agenda in line with the country’s policies and developmental strategies, such as the Growth at Home Strategy, Harambee Prosperity Plan and fifth National Development Plan (NDP5).
It was preceded by the creation of the Business Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) which came into existence in 2017, to serve as the central focal point for the registration, administration and protection of businesses, commercial and industrial properties rights.
Iipumbu said Geingob spearheaded the successful transformation of business registration with the launch of the Integrated Company Registration System.
“It was through his zeal to address various challenges experienced through business registration that the creation of BIPA was approved by Cabinet even though its establishment took place when he had already left the Ministry,” she said.
Geingob, who died on 4 February, served as the Minister of Industrialisation and Trade from 2008 to 2012.
In addition, Iipumbu said Geingob’s further priority was to establish the Namibia Board of Trade to manage imports and exports and handle trade remedies.
Having completed the formulation, the Minister said they are planning on tabling the bill this year.
Iipumbu said Geingob also facilitated the negotiation towards an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between SADC countries and the European Union.
“Thus, beyond his achievements in the realm of trade, Geingob’s leadership was characterised by a profound dedication to justice, equality, and social progress. He championed the cause of the less privileged while tirelessly working to build a more inclusive society where every citizen has equal opportunity in the Namibian house,” stated Iipumbu.
In addition, Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade Executive Director, Sikongo Haihambo, remembered the late Geingob, for having played a pivotal role in the drafting of the industrial policy framework which culminated in the adoption of the Namibian Industrial Policy.
He says the Policy laid the Ministry’s foundation to seriously think of and plan for industrialisation.
“When he became the Minister of Trade and Industry, he realised immediately that for many years, while the Ministry was titled Trade and Industry, the Industry part was absent, but the Trade leg was fully in operation,” he said.
“This was for understandable reasons, because after independence we wanted to attract foreign investors to Namibia. At the same time, he began the process of amending the Namibia Foreign Investment Act, by demarcating strategic areas in which the State would have a say, and those in which only Namibians could invest, and still another category for joint ventures between foreigners and Namibians.
“The Act would fast-track the industrialisation process and Namibian ownership of the economy and would form an integral part of our Growth at Home Strategy which encourages value addition to our natural resources,” stated Haihambo.
These remarks were shared at a vigil candlelight in memory of Geingob who passed on at the age of 82.
