Namibia’s government on Friday ended its second interaction between the cabinet, industry, and trade unions since independence in 1990. During the three-day Cabinet retreat at Swakopmund President Hifikepunye Pohamba called for higher economic growth from the current average of 3.7 percent.
President Pohamba appealed for a more vigorous fight against unemployment and poverty at the retreat attended by some 100 cabinet members, representatives of business, industry, and labour unions. "With its current economic performance and growth rate, Namibia will be unable to generate significant income and jobs necessary to sustain its ever increasing social expenditure and effectively tackle poverty through job creation", Pohamba said. This is the second retreat of the Namibian government. The first took place five years ago under former president Sam
Nujoma. "We should urgently address the plight of our youth, women, senior citizens and the rural poor," Pohamba said, adding: "We should chart the path of effective smart partnerships for economic growth and sustainable development." Last year, the government launched an all-inclusive national development plan, Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Namibia into a developed and industrialized nation 25 years from now.