Ongwediva
While the closure of many businesses resulted in hundreds of job losses in March at Oshikango, business is slowly picking up again at the border town.
Speaking to New Era on Tuesday the mayor of Helao Nafidi, Eliaser Nghipangelwa, said there is a slight positive change in business operations, especially with local businesses.
“There are still struggling business, especially those that are aimed at import and export. However, our local businesses are slowly picking up… and because of that we are positive that there is no chance for Oshikango to die,” Nghipangelwa said.
Connie Ramirez of the Oshikango Business Association (OBA) shared similar sentiments. Ramirez said there were no further closures of businesses or employment loss since February.
By the end of February close to ten shops had closed down, while several others shut down temporarily.
It was reported at the time that 719 job were lost by the end of February while 268 jobs were lost in February alone.
Ramirez described the situation at the town as stable noting that currently only the duty-free furniture shops and car dealers are affected.
“Those who are into basic commodities business, such as food, are still doing well. The situation is stable, with a 50 percent of people doing business while the other 50 percent is still affected,” said Ramirez.
Nghipangelwa said in the meantime the council, as well as the local business community, is waiting for government’s intervention through Minister of Finance Calle Schlettwein, who has promised to send a delegation to assess and mitigate declining trade at the town.
Businesses are also waiting for government input on the proposed electronic payment system, or the creation of a special card for Angolan nationals in order to retain business at the town.