Pohamba appraises public/private sector smart partnership

President Hifikepunye Pohamba has applauded the exchange of property between Oryx Properties, Stratford Properties Ventures Namibia, and the City of Windhoek, in which the municipality received an Olympic-size swimming pool in Olympia in exchange for the piece of land adjacent to Maerua Mall.

“I am convinced you will agree with me that this is a clear demonstration of smart partnership between the Municipality, as a public institution, and private sector to promote economic development and create employment opportunities,” said Pohamba.
Pohamba was speaking as he officially opened the new Maerua Mall extension on Wednesday evening this week. “As a developing country, Namibia requires substantial and steady inflows of investments in all sectors of the economy. It is such investments that will boost economic growth and create employment opportunities for our people,” he said. He said through co-operation, concerted efforts must be made to provide mechanisms for local entrepreneurs to invest in the local economy ,especially in the construction of business and industrial infrastructure.

Charles Karuaisa (left) chairman of Oryx Properties, looks on as President Hifikepunye Pohamba and the First Lady, Penexupifo Pohamba inaugurate the new Maerua Mall extension.

“In so doing, we will empower our people economically and ensure that a large portion of more resources and capital remains within our borders and in the hands of our people for the development of our country. At the same time we must encourage local entrepreneurs to be innovative and thereby diversify the economy in order to broaden the investment possibilities and channel available capital to new areas of business that have the potential of creating employment for our people,” said Pohamba. The President also commended the management of Oryx Properties Limited for their wise decision to invest in the local economy through the construction of this shopping mall. “This initiative is indeed a clear demonstration of the company’s faith in our policies that are aimed at promoting growth and development. In addition to new employment opportunities, the Maerua Mall has contributed significantly to the expansion and growth of commercial activities in our Capital City, Windhoek”.

The President was also happy that during the construction phase, 1500 people were recruited to work on the project, and that when fully occupied it is estimated that the Maerua Shopping Centre will create an additional 500 jobs through the economic activities that the centre will generate. “I am confident that through investment such as this one, we can create employment opportunities, enhance economic growth and raise the standard of living of our people. Hence, I would like to take this opportunity to urge other companies in the private sector to commit themselves to the development of our country by planning and executing investment projects”.