The presidents of Namibia and South Africa discussed economic development issues, the Kudu gas field and the western power development corridor during their one-day meeting in Windhoek on Friday. The SADC Trade Protocol and trade matters around the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) topped the agenda. President Thabo Mbeki and his Namibian counterpart further signed a treaty establishing that Ai Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park at State House at noon on Friday. The two presidents additionally signed a bilateral gas trade agreement, which indicates that the kudu gas field development is finally gaining momentum. President Mbeki flew back to South Africa on Friday afternoon. The western power corridor is to become reality by 2010 at the cost of US$ 10 billion, including the completion and partially new construction of the Inga hydropower scheme on the Congo River in the DRC. A power line from there is to connect Angola and Namibia to the western regional power grid, which will also feed the Northern Cape in RSA and western Botswana. The power utilities of the DRC, Namibia, Botswana, Angola and South Africa have already founded a company, Westcor, to facilitate the gigantic project. According to energy experts, the Epupa hydropower project on the Kunene River could also be revived.

The annual harbour open day for the port of Walvis Bay will be held on Saturday, 6 September from 10h00 to 16h00. It will be jointly organised by the Rotary Club of Walvis Bay and NamPort. The key event that day will be the trawler race which starts at 11h00.The public can on that day visit the harbour area to get acquainted with the working activities of the port and see what the fisheries sector is doing at the northern end of the port. Fundraising activities and food and beverage stalls will be available as the Rotary Club is collecting donations to build a TB isolation ward at the town’s state hospital. The prize giving ceremony for the trawler race is at around 15h00. For children there will be jumping castles, go-carts and kiddie’s train. Bands will provide live music and a motorcycle and off road vehicles’ drive past will take place.

The town of Lüderitzbucht will host a two-day investor conference in 15 and 16 September. President Sam Nujoma will open it. He is visiting southern Namibia where he will officially open the N$ 3,4 billion Skorpion Zinc mine on 12 September. According to the key organiser of the conference, Regional Councillor Fluksman Samuehl, Lüderitz was expanding rapidly due to increase fishing and mining operations nearby. The N$ 420 million expansion of the Elizabeth Bay diamond mine by Namdeb and the growing tourism industry in Lüderitz itself was furthermore putting enormous pressure on the town’s housing and related needs. The expansion and rapid economic development of Lüderitz was an ideal chance for investors, both local regional and international to establish their presence in Lüderitz, which Samuehl wants

The closing date for the investor of the year award was shifted from 31July to 15 August. This was decided to give companies a chance to fully participate in this first-ever event of its kind, Mr David Nuyoma, executive director of the Namibia Investment Centre announced on Wednesday. He said that all businesses registered in Namibia can enter the competition. Businesses will be evaluated on their corporate social responsibility, investment amount, and their contributions towards foreign exchange generation, innovation, job creation, skills development and value addition.

Awards will be presented in the sectors of agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, mining, services and tourism.