Corruption - A social disease (Part 119): The role that Namibian enterprises can play in improving investment
Johan Coetzee - Namibia is slipping on the international competitive index, and our economy is shrinking.
Two major contributing factors are poor policy, and corruption. Like government has reiterated so often, we all need to pull together; it cannot be left in the hands of government alone.
Quality (competent and ethical) people in society can provide the ability to create new structures of relations and corrective behaviour, i.e. trust, streamlined processes and strategies for broader public participation in policy formulation.
The private sector should, like in South Africa, initiate and design innovative strategies for the benefit of society. This is happening.
Recently the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) initiated public consultations that led to the formation of “Enterprise Namibia” (EN). Largely a technical committee, tapping into experience and skills as required, EN aims to assist government in formulating pro-growth policies and implementation of government policies such as Harambee and NDP 5. With excellent progress in improving the Namibia Investment Promotion Act, No. 9 of 2016, EN proves an excellent example of what can be achieved when government and private sector take hands.
Another recent private sector initiative is the establishment of the Economic Policy Research Association (EPRA), a voluntary association aiming to advocate for pragmatic, sustainable, pro-growth and pro-investment policy in Namibia, to advocate for pragmatic job creation and equality improvement, and to advocate for improved process of policy and legislation preparation.
EPRA already has a membership of over 560 businesses.
For fear of reprisal to be associated with a body that critically assesses government policy, the EPRA constitution guarantees all members anonymity. It is managed by a group of professionals with masters and doctorate degrees in public administration, law, economics and business administration.
The above initiatives are crucial to ensure improved accountability and improved economic growth, which at these times are crucial for Namibia’s survival as one of Africa’s exemplary democracies.
For more information on EPRA contact Eben de Klerk at [email protected].
References
Republic of Namibia. Namibia Investment Promotion Act, Act No. 9 of 2016. Government Gazette, Windhoek.
[email protected]
Two major contributing factors are poor policy, and corruption. Like government has reiterated so often, we all need to pull together; it cannot be left in the hands of government alone.
Quality (competent and ethical) people in society can provide the ability to create new structures of relations and corrective behaviour, i.e. trust, streamlined processes and strategies for broader public participation in policy formulation.
The private sector should, like in South Africa, initiate and design innovative strategies for the benefit of society. This is happening.
Recently the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) initiated public consultations that led to the formation of “Enterprise Namibia” (EN). Largely a technical committee, tapping into experience and skills as required, EN aims to assist government in formulating pro-growth policies and implementation of government policies such as Harambee and NDP 5. With excellent progress in improving the Namibia Investment Promotion Act, No. 9 of 2016, EN proves an excellent example of what can be achieved when government and private sector take hands.
Another recent private sector initiative is the establishment of the Economic Policy Research Association (EPRA), a voluntary association aiming to advocate for pragmatic, sustainable, pro-growth and pro-investment policy in Namibia, to advocate for pragmatic job creation and equality improvement, and to advocate for improved process of policy and legislation preparation.
EPRA already has a membership of over 560 businesses.
For fear of reprisal to be associated with a body that critically assesses government policy, the EPRA constitution guarantees all members anonymity. It is managed by a group of professionals with masters and doctorate degrees in public administration, law, economics and business administration.
The above initiatives are crucial to ensure improved accountability and improved economic growth, which at these times are crucial for Namibia’s survival as one of Africa’s exemplary democracies.
For more information on EPRA contact Eben de Klerk at [email protected].
References
Republic of Namibia. Namibia Investment Promotion Act, Act No. 9 of 2016. Government Gazette, Windhoek.
[email protected]
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