Elago Shipanga The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) last week launched a pilot of the Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey (NHIES) at Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa region. The survey being piloted in the eight of the 14 regions commenced on 30 September, and is scheduled to conclude on 20 October 2024. It aims to identify...
Business
Namcor, SLB to advance energy collaboration
The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) has partnered with global energy technology company SLB. This agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening the collaboration between Namcor and SLB, aligning both entities towards mutual goals in the energy sector, including sustainability, decarbonisation and new energy opportunities. The multi-year deal covers a broad scope of collaboration,...
Term loans constitute 96% of total microlenders …as household borrowers decrease by almost 10%
The domestic microlending sector loan book value has shown a notable increase, reflecting a shift in borrowing trends and preferences among consumers. As of the end of 2023, the value of the domestic loan book grew by 6.1% year-on-year, reaching an impressive N$7.2 billion. This growth is primarily attributed to term lenders, whose loan value amounted to N$6.9...
Oil prices extend rally on Iran attack
LONDON – Major stock markets diverged yesterday, while oil prices extended a rally after Iran’s missile attack on Israel fanned fears of a Middle East-wide conflict. London’s top-tier Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 index rose slightly, helped by share-price gains for oil giants BP and Shell. Paris and Frankfurt fell in early afternoon deals....
Cranes at a standstill as US dockworkers fight for ‘future’
ELIZABETH – Just a short drive from the New York skyline, giant cranes, containers and machinery stand motionless behind closed gates.The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), 85 000 members-strong, has launched its first strike since 1977 after weeks of deadlocked negotiations over a six-year labour agreement.“It’s not just money. It’s our future,” declared Herbert Hall, 76-year-old...
Philippines to tax foreign-based digital service providers
MANILA – Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos yesterday signed into law a measure that imposes a 12% value-added tax on foreign-based firms providing digital services in the country. The tax applies to a vast range of products and services, including search engines, software licensing, mobile apps, online games, webinars, music, advertising, warehousing and cloud services, website...
Namibia a runner-up at WTPO awards
The results are in! The International Trade Centre (ITC) announced that the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) was selected as the runner-up of the WTPO Awards 2024 under the category ‘Best Initiative to Ensure that Trade is Inclusive and Sustainable’. The WTPO Awards, which celebrate innovation and leadership in trade promotion, recognise Trade...
Namfisa dedicates October to consumer education
The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has designated October as Consumer Protection Month, aimed at educating consumers about their financial rights and obligations. This initiative provides a valuable platform to highlight the critical importance of protecting and upholding consumer rights, shielding them from market misconduct, and ensuring they are informed about their responsibilities when...
GIPF to pay tax relief refunds to members
The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has informed its taxpaying and qualifying pensioners as well as spousal and child beneficiaries that the fund will make tax payment relief refunds on 28 November 2024. This is in accordance with the Income Tax Amendment Act, 2024 and the Government Gazette (No. 8442, 16 September 2024), effective 1...
US dockworkers strike after labour contract expires
NEW YORK – Dockworkers at major ports along the United States (US) East and Gulf Coasts went on strike yesterday after last-minute negotiations yielded no new labour contract, a stoppage expected to drag on the world’s largest economy just ahead of the November presidential election. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) said the walkout by its...