By Catherine Sasman
WINDHOEK
It is important for all Namibians from all walks of life to take part in the implementation of the next five-year national development process to achieve the goals set out in Vision 2030, said Speaker of the National Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab.
Speaking at the closing of an intensive four-day consultative conference on the National Development Plan 3 (for 2007/08 to 2011/12), Gurirab also urged international development partners and countries, as well as private investors and non-governmental organisations to “buy into” the targets set out for the NDP 3.
Director General of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Helmuth Angula, said stakeholders wishing to make further submissions should contact the NPC Secretariat no later than November 5, to “fill the gaps” in the planning process.
The final draft of the NDP 3 document will be submitted to Cabinet for consideration and approval.
The conference process was lauded by many of the 400 participants drawn from all levels of Government, private sector and civil society, as well as international partners, who participated in sector-by-sector discussions on how to accelerate economic growth and deepen rural development.
The plan intends to propel Namibia’s economic growth by between 5 and 6.5 percent.
Director of Research at the Bank of Namibia, John Steytler, said the targets set out in NDP 3 are all attainable, depending on the performance of the world economy as well as the implementation capacity of the Government.
“If the world economy stays strong, our national goals will be supported. If not, it will have a negative impact on the goals set out,” said Steytler.
He also said the consultative process in the development of NDP 3 was more broad-based, adding: “One can anticipate that people will take ownership in the development process.”
Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Anna Erastus, said donor funding is imperative to complement Government’s efforts.
Chief Executive Officer of the L???_?_’???_?’???_?