WINDHOEK – The newly formed Gendev Fishing Group has announced the appointment of well-experienced Pau Iilonga as chairperson of the group, while Volker Paulsmeier has been appointed Chief Executive Officer.
The announcements were made at the first 2015 board meeting following the recent formation of the group.
Gendev Fishing Group’s structure was finalised at the beginning of this year following negotiations between the involved parties. “Gendev proposed the restructuring of its shareholding in 2014, with Camoposato Investments (Pty) Ltd and Vernier Investments (Pty) Ltd becoming shareholders. The final agreed shareholding structure resulted in the formation of a new company, and one of the first milestones worth mentioning is the fact that it is now 72 percent Namibian owned,” said Iilonga.
Gendev Fishing Group now consists of Camoposato Investments (Pty) Ltd, Vernier Investments (Pty) Ltd, Eco Fish Processors (Pty) Ltd, Guinas Investments (Pty) Ltd and Suiderland Development Corporation Ltd .
CEO Paulsmeier said that some highlights of the group include the opening one of the first land-based horse mackerel processing factories in Namibia as well as support received from government and confidence of the group’s new business model.
“These have not been the only major achievements to date – we are even more delighted with the fact that we have been able to create additional 600 to 750 jobs throughout the year, with at least 275 people per shift. The introduction of two 9-hour shifts and the utilisation of around 30 000 tonnes quota available sustains a 12-month operation and enhances the lives of many Namibian workers and their families as they are guaranteed an income throughout the year. That is the best outcome to us of the restructuring process thus far,” noted Paulsmeier.
Other members of the new board of directors of the group are: N Kaiyamo, R Shimooshili, J du Preez, Dr CA Neethling, M Shingenge-Haipinge, S de Gouveia, P Alfheim, E Nekuta and Ms L Edwards.