WINDHOEK – The Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) announced the winners of its Good Business Awards 2013 at a ceremony at the Xwama Cultural Village last week Thursday.
The awards for DBN clients recognises employment creation, use of local resources, good business administration and governance, local procurement and ownership by previously disadvantaged Namibians. The award for best SME went to Fresh n Bake Bakery and Market in Okuryangava, which has created employment for 120 people. The award for Best Large Enterprise went to last year’s runner-up Armstrong Construction, which during the course of the year strengthened its business and grew its export market.
Certificates of merit were awarded to Namibia Civil Engineering Laboratory and Urban Legend in the SME category. Ongwediwa’s Medipark and Proqual Diagnostic Imaging received certificates of merit in the Large Enterprise category.
“NDP4 recognises that the private sector is the engine of the economy and an epicentre for job creation. Businesses represented here tonight are some of the key role players. Government believes that there is still a great potential for SMEs to create jobs in Namibia. This is to be achieved not only through access to finance, but also through deliberate growth-at-home strategies and policies,” said I-Ben Nashandi, who is the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Finance. Nashandi was representing the Minister of Finance, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila at the event.
Speaking on the need for capacity building in Namibia, Victoria Namwandi, representing the International University of Management (IUM), which was the 2012 winner, said: “Without capacity, plans are best left on paper for the simple reason that a plan executed without knowledge and skills is almost certain to fail, and that will be an expense, not just in terms of monetary costs, but also in terms of the lost opportunities as manpower and material are diverted from other projects. In light of this, it is imperative that we establish a nation that is equipped with the necessary skills and know-how to be effective,” she said.
Said Elize Angula, DBN chairperson: “The enterprises that we finance are those that we believe will be here for years and decades to come. Good governance, sound business administration and meaningful use of local resources secure these enterprises for the future. The recipients of these awards exemplify this approach. The bank asks that you consider these enterprises and their long-term impact. We hope you will be able to adopt the same approaches that they have used to make their enterprises successful, if you have not done so already,” she said.
Addressing all DBN clients, Angula said: “Your reward might not be a Good Business Award. It will be enterprise that grows and creates wealth, that creates employment and social benefits, and you will know that you are valued for your contribution to the development and prosperity of Namibia.”
By Staff Reporter