Three major meetings with regard to the fisheries sector took place in Windhoek this week. A delegation of 10 Norwegians held bilateral talks with their Namibian counterparts. The fishing industry contributed 7.8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or N$ 2.5 billion in 2003, Dr Abraham Iyambo, fisheries and marine resources minister told his Norwegian counterpart, Minister Svein Ludvigsen on Monday. It was agreed that Norway would assist Namibia to establish a five-year plan for its fledgling aquaculture industry. Both countries agreed to jointly organise an international investor conference for marine and inland aquaculture in Namibia for February 2005.

Both Ministers officially opened the regional offices of INFOPECHE, a marketing and information body for fish producers in Namibia for African countries. The office, which resides in Kenya House, is funded by Norway. Under the umbrella of INFOPECHE runs INFOSA, the regional office for Southern African countries. INFOPECHE has its head offices in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. On Wednesday morning, Fisheries Minister Iyambo addressed the first meeting of the newly appointed Aquaculture Advisory Council. It is to advise the ministry on aquaculture, attracting investment and promote marketing of aquaculture and related issues. Dr Rainer Ritter chairs the council, with Herbert Shixwameni, Ongwediva Mayor Erastus Uutoni, Messrs Shali Kamati, Dr Hashali Hamukuaya, Dr Fanuel Demas, Mr Abraham Nehemia and Ms Nangula Mbako (Permanent Secretary). Minister Iyambo said the oyster, mussel, abalone and tilapia producers should all receive a 15-year licence.

A grant of N$3 million was given to 10 Namibian organisations that are actively promoting and training small and medium entrepreneurs in the country. USAID has funded SMEsCompete, an organisation that wants to enhance the Namibian SME sector. Ms Abby Boer of SMEsCompete on Wednesday thanked then US government for its support and said organisations like the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), Nacobta, Bicon Engineers, Premier Consult and the Rössing Foundation, which were some of the 10 beneficiaries were all involved in training Namibians to become entrepreneurs. SMEsCompete assisted entrepreneurs to participate at the Otjiwarongo Show and 10 more will be represented at the forthcoming Windhoek Show.

The Namibia Business Coalition against Aids (Nabcoa) published its first quarterly newsletter this week. Called "Aidsbrief" it gives an overview of initiatives, programmes in Namibia’s business sector in the fight against Aids. The brochure was prepared by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). Sven Thieme, chairman of Nabcoa said there was not one single business in Namibia that was not touched by Aids. The newsletter was intended to inform the business sector, decision makers and activists about trends, events and issues about Aids.