The ministry of lands and resettlements discussed a new five-year strategic plan for the ministry during a workshop for its officials this week. It was notable to see representatives of communal land boards, the two farmer unions NAU and NNFU as well as the German donor agency GTZ and officials from the ministry of environment and tourism present. While half the plan focussed on administrative issues and enhanced coordination of various departments up to 2010, it targets to acquire 320 farms by then. These comprise of the 134 farms already procured so far plus 192 farms allegedly belonging to foreign absentee landlords. The plan to buy the 192 farms was announced by former President Nujoma last November, when he launched the SWAPO election manifesto. The ministerial plan further envisages having a national land use policy in place by March 2008 and to have all land rights registered by 2010. Lastly, 100% of "the developed small scale farms are allocated by December 2010", the document stipulates.

The Tender Board (TB) of the government should support local companies to boost the Namibian economy when it comes to issuing tenders, Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged. Addressing the TB this week, which mainly consists of permanent secretaries, she said small and medium enterprises (SMEs) should also benefit from tender allocation. Kuugongelwa-Amadhila called on the TB to be transparent, to follow the law at all times, to expedite processes and to speed up payments for completed jobs to tenderers. The Tender Board, which had over the years come repeatedly under the spotlight for alleged preferred tender allocations and being susceptible to "rewards", seems to have caught the special attention of the minister’s office.

Over 200 investment experts attended a daylong seminar this week for a new product introduced by Old Mutual. Called Old Mutual Max Investments the new product was specifically designed to provide personalised long-term investment solutions to customers in the middle and high-income segments that are appropriate for the changing economic environment of lower inflation and lower interest rates.

Over the last few years consumers have increasingly started to feel the effect that lowering inflation and lowering interest rates had on their savings and investments.

There are no initial charges, the investor’s entire monthly contribution is invested, a Select Investment Plan allows investors to pay a lump sum or schedule investments as and when it is convenient. No commitment is required. Charges are substantially lower and investors can choose from a life pure investment or a retirement annuity structure, on one investment platform. Investors are allowed to choose their own payment option, product option, investment terms and funds to invest in, according to each investor’s unique personal needs, Old Mutual pledges.

The Office of the Prime Minister will together with Bank Windhoek embark on setting national guidelines for the writing of business plans. On Monday, 20 June, Prime Minister Nahas Angula and Bank Windhoek managers will announce a partnership to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which often fail in their businesses due to lack of planning. The Social Investment fund if the bank is likely to fund the setting up of such guidelines. Without a business plan, companies have difficulties obtaining loans. Last month Prime Minister Angula called for an economic coalition between government and the private sector to improve the local economy.