April 20, 2023

Geingob on state visit to South Africa

President Hage Geingob on Wednesday arrived in South Africa for a state visit at the invitation of his counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa.

The visit, according to a press release issued by the Office of the Presidency on Wednesday, aims to further strengthen the already existing bilateral relations between Namibia and South Africa.

“In addition to bilateral discussions on issues such as the Orange River border question, the Southern African Customs Union, the two presidents will discuss regional, continental and international issues of mutual concern. The state visit is expected to afford Namibia and South Africa an opportunity to strengthen bilateral cooperation, enhance economic cooperation, explore trade and investment, and also identify new areas of cooperation in the fields of Green Hydrogen, including the oil and gas sectors,” the statement noted.

According to the presidency, the transformation of the Heads of State Economic Forum into the Binational Commission has also provided an impetus to further enhance bilateral cooperation and a platform to exchange views on issues of mutual interest and concern at the regional level.

“Namibia and South Africa are both members of the Southern African Customs Union that ensures the free movement of goods among member states. South Africa continues to be Namibia’s top trading partner on the continent and in the world at large, both in terms of exports and imports.”

In 2022, total trade between Namibia and South Africa stood at N. dollars 67.1 billion, an increase of 13.5 per cent from the N.dollars 59.1 billion recorded the previous year.

Namibia’s exports to South Africa stood at N.dollars 16.8 billion in 2022, compared to N.dollars 13.5 billion recorded in 2021, while the country’s imports from South Africa were valued at N. dollars 45.6 billion and N. dollars 50.3 billion in 2021 and 2022 respectively; representing an increase in both exports and imports of 24.2 and 10.3 per cent respectively.

Geingob is expected to return to Namibia on Saturday.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

April 20, 2023

Wealth In Limited turns residential apartments into a supermarket

Wealth in Limited, a Chinese establishment at Tema Community 12, has turned their residential apartments into a supermarket, thereby using residential ECG meter for commercial purposes.

Mr. Emmanuel Ankomah, the General Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Tema Regional Office, who detected the fraudulent act during routine inspection stressed that “as a result of illegal convention the company had issues with the tariff class, they have been put on using their residential place for business purposes”.

Mr. Ankomah said now we need to study the pattern of the bill and make sure we do retrospective billing so that all the components and elements that we had to miscalculate will be recalculated for them to pay, “we will negotiate with them, and then the payment will be made.”

The Manager advised customers to inform the company in writing when they convert their residential premises to commercial ones to enable the company to convert their tariffs per meters from a residential one to a non-residential one.

On the ongoing nationwide revenue mobilization exercise by the company, he said it had been good as some customers were voluntarily paying their debts, while those who were disconnected for failure to honour their bills had not reconnected themselves.

The Manager, however, said a few challenges had been encountered during the exercise, adding that there had been some issues with customers not allowing ECG staff to enter their premises to check their meter.

He said in the ECG Nungua District, a few such cases were recorded, adding that the company had taken measures to address it.

He reminded customers to check the identity cards of the staff and allow them to do their work, as several public announcements had been made ahead of the exercise, and therefore, preventing staff from doing their work was unacceptable.

“We have identification, so we want to encourage them; if you have any doubt, please ask for the person’s ID, and if you disallow us to have access to our meters it is not the best.

“We expect that our customers will cooperate with us; we are in just to dialogue and negotiate to collect our money; let’s have our money and we have no problems with you, if you resist us from entering your premises, then we need to take it from a different angle,” he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

April 20, 2023

NamRA hosts taxpayers and traders appreciation day

Namibia Revenue Agency Commissioner, Sam Shivute has lauded taxpayers and traders for their patriotism and discipline in building Namibia through their tax contributions.

Speaking during the taxpayers and traders appreciation day here Wednesday, Shivute said as a result of their contributions, some members of the public who would under normal circumstances be destitute, can access healthcare and social grants.

“I’m talking about the most vulnerable members of our society, such as the elderly and orphans. Those who under normal circumstances cannot afford private healthcare. It has been proven that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the only reason why the Namibian Government could provide health care to these people and prevent loss of lives was due to your contributions,” he said.

Namibia, he added, can only achieve economic emancipation, economic independence and physical sovereignty through domestic resource mobilisation.

“We have political independence, however, we are not economically emancipated and economically independent. For us to be independent and not have other jurisdictions dictating and deciding for us as a country, we have to fund our domestic resources through taxes and duties,” said Shivute.

The commissioner further called on taxpayers and traders who are evading tax to own up to their responsibilities.

On her part, NamRA board chairperson, Anna Nakale-Kawana urged defaulting taxpayers to take advantage of the recently announced tax amnesty programme.

The day was observed to recognise taxpayers and traders for their contribution to revenue collection.

It was held under the theme ‘Taxes and duties build Namibia.’

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

April 20, 2023

Ambassador Calls Korean Investors To Invest In Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s Ambassador to South Korea, Dessie Dalkie, called on Korean investors to invest in Ethiopia, emphasizing the untapped resources and investment opportunities that exist in the country, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This was disclosed at the Ethio-Korea Business Forum held in Busan, South Korea, aimed at providing an opportunity for Korean investors to explore potential investment opportunities in Ethiopia.

Ambassador Dessie called on Korean investors to invest in Ethiopia, emphasizing the untapped resources and investment opportunities that exist in the country.

During his presentation, Ethiopian Investment Deputy Commissioner, Daniel Teresa, underscored that now is the time to invest in Ethiopia due to the various incentives for foreign investors and the dynamic and conducive investment policies in the country.

Sangjin KIM, Honorary Consul General of Ethiopia in Busan and Gyeongnam, highlighted Ethiopia’s vast investment potential.

He urged Korean investors to take advantage of the country’s young and dynamic workforce, conducive investment policies, growing domestic demand, and abundant energy sources that make it an attractive destination for foreign investment.

The President of Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Jang Inwha expressed the need for trade and the growth of manufacturing industries in Ethiopia for its economic development.

He further stated that Busan companies would collaborate with Ethiopia in this regard.

Over 70 Korean investors and corporate leaders attended the business forum.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

April 20, 2023

PM Abiy Urges Ethiopians to be Mindful of Peace, Unity While Celebrating Eid al-Fitr

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that we should be mindful of peace, love, unity, and brotherhood while celebrating the 1444th Eid al-Fitr.

In a message he conveyed in connection with the 1444th Eid al-Fitr, he said we should stand together not only during prayers but in confronting challenges facing the country.

It is not just during the prayers that we should stand in unison, Abiy stated, adding that we should stand in unison in overcoming challenges facing the country.

Abiy noted that at this time in particular Ethiopians need to strengthen our unity and stand together more than ever.

The premier noted that the country is battling with enormous challenges and achieve prosperity.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency