President Sam Nujoma said he wants the country’s training institutions and the private sector to produce at least 5000 engineers, 5000 economists, 2000 accountants and auditors, 1000 geologists. 300 quantity surveyors, 1000 architects, 3000 agriculturalists, 1000 vets as well as 1000 marine biologists and scientists "for the implementation of Vision 2030, an ambitious development plan for Namibia. Speaking at the launch of the official; 250 page document in A 4 format on Wednesday, Nujoma said, the plan was one of the most fundamental legacies "the present generation can bequeath to the future generations of Namibians". Broken up in 5-year plans, the project aims to have an industrialised Namibia with equity income distribution, peace, stability and safe, clean environment. All socio-economic development sector goals are found in this document with regard to health, Aids reduction, trade and agriculture, to name a few. The project, which Nujoma introduced to Cabinet in 1998, took several years of national consultations and preparations until made public in printed form this week. It is obtainable at the National Planning Commission. A summary version is also available and will be translated in most indigenous languages soon.

Bidding for founding sponsors membership for the Team Namibia trademark company will end this Friday at 16h00. Bidding can be made on the website of Team Namibia, a registered non-profit company, at www.teamnamibia.com and up to N$ 50 000 must be made in this category. Only 6 Namibian companies will be selected as founding sponsors. Winners are announced on the website, which is a first in Namibia’s economic sector. Team Namibia is a company that will manage the official trademark and logo "Naturally Namibian," which companies can apply for to carry on their products.

The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) is the national umbrella body for the private business sector and is an independent organisation. However, a statement issued by its CEO, Mr Tarah Shaanika on Monday to "congratulate" Mr Lucas Pohamba, SWAPO vice-president and lands minister on his election as presidential candidate for the party has raised eyebrows among NCCI members. "NCCI commends SWAPO and expresses satisfaction for the manner in which the election of the party’s candidate" was conducted, the NCCI said. "The example set by the SWAPO party is the most logical path for leadership transition" worth emulating by other political parties in and outside Namibia, Mr Shaanika, said. The press release met some criticism among some NCCI member companies PLUS learnt this week. Members are said to fear for the independence of the NCCI.

The ministry of agriculture criticised a story in New Era, a government newspaper of May 14 where it was alleged Mr Paul Smit, deputy agriculture minister had only spoken to white farmers during a "recent visit" and had "dished out land" to white farmers. A certain Mr Paul’s Ephraim made the accusation to a reporter of the government paper. No recent visits took place by Smit, the Ministry said in a press statement on Tuesday and no land was handed out to anybody. The ministry was merely carrying out preparations for the Green Scheme as per Cabinet decision of August 2003, the statement said. The Green Scheme intended to settle small-scale irrigation farmers on irrigation farming units along the Orange River adjacent to commercial entities. This would enable skills transfer and secure mentorship programmes. "It is regretted that this initiative from Government is being used selfishly to divide people instead of uniting them to the benefit of the country sand its inhabitants," the ministerial statement said. Copies of the Green Scheme Policy are available free of charge the planning directory of the Ministry from Mr H. Ramakhutla, tel. 061-207-7707.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) said that Africa’s GDP grew by 3.7% in 2003; a year in which many of the world’s major economies barely grew at all. Some of this can be attributed to increased demand and prices for oil and minerals, but the AfDB also gave credit to AGOA and the EU’s "Everything but Arms" initiative. African exports increased by 5% in volume and 17% in value in 2003 against 2002, according to the latest Mbendi newsletter. However, new food safety regulations in the EU, seen as another form of trade barrier, could depress agricultural exports to Africa’s main market by 2005, Mbendi said. South Africa, the continent’s economic powerhouse, only experienced growth of around 2% in 2003, perhaps a reflection of the diminishing contribution of the mining industry. The latest figures indicate 2004 will see South African GDP grow by more than 3%, Mbendi said.