Namibia Embassy Berlin -

PRESS STATEMENT

On the list released by the European Union on non - cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes

Calle Schlettwein, MP, Minister of Finance, 06 December 2017

Distinguished members of the Media,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Yesterday the European Union released a list of non - cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, which includes Namibia. The Namibian Government emphatically rejects this assessment and would point out the following attributes of what we consider to be an equitable and transparent tax regime:

Recently officials from Inland Revenue Department met with officials from the EU Embassy to Namibia to discuss this matter and to seek clarification on criteria. Since not all explanations could be provided to all our questions, it was agreed that further engagement with local EU staff and or EU tax experts from abroad is needed. After further engagement with the local EU staff, we were advised of the deadline to inform EU of our commitment to implementing proposed actions or how we react to them. Due to miss-communication we missed that deadline, but that does not make Namibia a non-compliant country or tax-haven. We are therefore perplexed to learn that, the EU has revealed names of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes including on the 5th December 2017 which include Namibia. click here to continue reading....

Fitch Ratings Credit Opinion on Namibia
Namibia Economist, Nov 21, 2017 | Special Focus |

By Carl Schlettwein, Minister of Finance

Fitch Ratings visited Namibia for the ratings assessment during 31 October -1 November 2017. The assessment and rating action are part of the annual ratings, which Fitch as the second ratings agency assessing Namibia, undertakes every year.

The required consultative approach with the authorities and stakeholders was conducted and it is appreciated. Such engagement clarified the Government policy position as articulated in the 2017/18 Mid-Year Budget Review tabled in the National Assembly recently.

The necessity for timely adjustments made on Government spending to give attention to once-off correction of the previously unbudgeted spending arrears, avoiding reversals in the provision of essential services in especially education and health sectors and to provide for a more directed infrastructure spending over the medium-term to support future economic growth objectives was clarified and understood.

The 2017/17 Medium-Term Policy Statement provides for the continuation of a sustainable consolidation to achieve debt sustainability. Expenditure-to-GDP ratios are falling year on year for the past three years and so are budget deficits. Emerging economic growth is protected through sourcing private capital for infrastructure development and the vulnerability of the external position is lessened by stronger international reserves and an improved current account deficit.

Statement by Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation at the first Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab Lecture

THEME: “THE ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AGENDA 2063: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES”

WINDHOEK, 16 NOVEMBER 2017

As the convener of the Theo-Ben Gurirab Lecture, on behalf of MIRCO, I once again welcome you to this session, held under the Theme, “THE ROLE OF THE YOUTH IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AU AGENDER 2063 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES.”

The theme of this Lecture Series feeds well into the overall theme of the African Union for this year; which is about “Harnessing the Demographic Dividends through Investing in the Youth”.

Given Africa’s demographic structure with a highly youthful population, the significant contribution of the young people to the Continent’s socio-economic development cannot be overemphasized.

According to the UN World Population Prospect (2015), Africa’s population reached 1.2 billion in 2015 and is projected to grow rapidly, reaching 1.7 billion in 2030 and more than double by 2050, to 2.5 billion and 3 billion in 2063. More remarkable is the fact that about 46% of the 1.3 billion increase in Africa’s labour force over the period 2015-2063 will be young people aged between 15 and 34 years.

Harnessing the demographic dividends of the youth, therefore, presents a strategic opportunity for Africa not only to realize the goals and aspirations of Agenda 2063, but also to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It equally presents a good opportunity to build the resilience of young people in addressing the root causes of many of the key social and economic challenges facing our continent.

Undeniably, the youth is our future and hence we invest in them. At the same time, it must be accepted that the youth are an important asset that Africa has that must be invested on if the Africa economy can be under the control of Africans for Sustainable Development to be realised.

As Kwame Nkrumah said “Until the economic power of Africa is in our hands, the masses can have no real concern and no real interest for safeguarding our regimes and for bending their strength to fulfillment of ends.

With our united resources, energies and talents we have means, as soon as we show the will to transform the economic structure of our individual state from poverty to that of wealth, from inequality to the satisfaction of the popular needs.

I have been asked to speak on the topic: “Educating the Youth to Innovative Ideas for the Implementation of Agenda 2063”. I would like to emphasize that education is a critical sector whose performance directly affects, and determines the quality and future of Africa’s sustainable development.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, informs the members of the diplomatic corps about various domestic and foreign policy issues, such as, amongst others, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), the African Union (AU), Western Sahara, the United Nations and the EU-African Summit.

(...) It is always a great pleasure to engage with you, my constituency, in this forum. I have been very busy with my other constituencies, however, I am happy that we found a convenient time to all of us, thus enabling us to meet today.

I wish to warmly welcome those Heads of Mission who joined our diplomatic family since our last coming together. Here in Namibia, you will find a government and people with open arms. You will also come to know that we have challenges, but those challenges can be turned into opportunities.

GENERAL COOPERATION

1. During 2017 the Ministry, once again, enjoyed excellent bilateral engagements with all Missions accredited to Namibia. Some of these engagements took place on the margins of multilateral fora, and were indeed very fruitful. Our bilateral mechanisms such as State visits, Official Visits, Joint Permanent Commissions of Cooperation and Intergovernmental Working Groups and other bilateral activities between Namibia and the respective countries and organizations you represent, remain important tools in achieving greater success in the implementation of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

I wish to thank you for your outstanding cooperation during the year 2017, and look forward to working with you to further strengthen these relations.

2. The world economic situation negatively impacted on our international engagements. Notwithstanding, our international cooperation has continued.

Namibia continues to emphasize the importance of international trade as an important instrument for economic growth and sustainable development. Therefore, the Government will continue with its on-going fiscal consolidation of policy measures, in order to promote trade and investments. The “Growth at Home” strategy for industrialization and the policy for promoting micro, small and medium enterprises provide a strong foundation for diversification.

DR. THEO - BEN GURIRAB LECTURE SERIES

4. In July this year, the Ministry launched its lecture series and Last week, we had our first lecture in Windhoek under the theme “The Role of the Youth in the implementation of Agenda 2063: Challenges and opportunities”. I wish to express our thanks and appreciation to those who have attended both events. We look forward to your continuing attendance.

SWAPO CONGRESS

5. As I informed at our last meeting, the SWAPO Congress is scheduled for 23- 26 November 2017 here in Windhoek. Guided by the maturity of the inner-party democracy, we have been cross cutting the country to seek support of the delegates to the Congress and the people they will represent. Some sister parties in the region and beyond have been invited to the Congress and Your Excellencies are also invited to the opening session.

ENGAGING THE GOVERNMENT OF NAMIBIA

6. I wish to reiterate that the Government of Namibia has an open door policy. We do so with the objective of facilitating our bilateral and multilateral engagement and cooperation. Secondly, we do so because we know we are dealing with diplomats who are familiar with the universal diplomatic code of conduct. We are however concerned that the incidents of communicating directly to line Ministries and offices including the Office of the President are still prevalent. The intention is not to stifle your engagements, but it is in our collective interests to follow the rules by going through the Ministry of International Relations rather than turning to the MIRCO when things do not go as plan with line Ministries and offices.

OVERALL SECURITY

7. In accordance with the Vienna Convention, your safety and Security is our responsibility. At this juncture, I regret and apologize to all those who were affected by crime one way or the other. We are in constant touch with the relevant police section of our police and are considering appropriate measures. However, we also request you to play your part by taking the necessary measure to secure your offices and Residences.

8. Let me now turn to regional issues.

SADC

SADC remains committed to ensuring a common future for the Southern African region and is working tirelessly to accelerate regional economic integration. Namibia participated at the 37th SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government that took place from 19-20 August 2017 in South Africa under the theme: “Partnering with the Private Sector in Developing Industry and Regional Value-Chains.”

9. At that Summit, H.E. Dr. Hage G. Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia was elected as Deputy Chair. The Summit also urged Member States to work towards achieving the 50:50 gender parity in political and decision-making positions in the public service and private sector. The Union of Comoros was admitted as a new Member of SADC. Other important decision taken at the Summit were:

The re-affirmation of SADC’s support and recognition of the importance of the reforms at the African Union, Emphasized the importance of complying with the African Union Constitutive Act; and approved the convening of a solidarity conference in support of Western Sahara.

10. In its efforts to ensure peace, consolidate democracy and good governance in the region, SADC appointed former President Hifikepunye Pohamba as SADC Special Envoy to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We are hopeful that, with the announcement of the date of elections in the DRC, 23 December 2018, should that happen, peace and stability would come to that country.

11. With regards to the Kingdom of Lesotho, SADC is fully engaged in ensuring that peace and security prevails in the Kingdom. Since October this year, the SADC Expanded Oversight Committee on Lesotho has been deployed to assist with the implementation of SADC decisions, which include constitutional, judiciary, legislative and security sector reforms. To that effect, Namibia has contributed 5 experts to the Oversight Committee. Moreover, on the 20th November 2017, SADC has deployed a Contingent Mission in the Kingdom of Lesotho in order to stabilize the country and assist with the implementation of SADC Decisions. A total of 258 personnel have been deployed, composed of military, intelligence, police and civilian components. Namibia has contributed personnel in all components, which is testimony to our commitment to ensuring peace and security in the region in general, and Lesotho, in particular.

Namibia is following with interest the situation in our sister Republic of Zimbabwe. We hope the leaders of Zimbabwe will garner and the necessary wisdom to find an amicable solution. SADC is doing its part within the provisions of the SADC Treaty.