By Wezi Tjaronda WINDHOEK Namibia’s business body and a local bank this week announced a partnership that will see the launch of the Oshana Business Forum tonight. The two organisations, the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NNCI) and First National Bank (FNB) are establishing business forums in each of the 13 regions, with Oshana being the second to be established. The NNCI is expecting all businesses in the neighouring regions to join the forum for an evening of dialogue with Governor Clemens Kashupulwa, Oshakati local authority officials, Secretary to the Tender Board Meriam Onesmus and FNB Economist Martin Mwinga. The forums are a platform where entrepreneurs voice issues that impact on the profitability of their companies while politicians are given an opportunity to outline their visions and how they expect businesses to contribute to such visions. “The ultimate objective is to create a conducive environment for public/private sector dialogue with a view to jointly find common denominators for increases in economic growth, job creation and poverty eradication,” said NCCI Chief Executive Officer, Tarah Shaanika, on Wednesday. The expected end result of the forums is to see improvement in the business environment in a particular region in terms of bureaucratic procedures in local authorities, infrastructure development, corruption and bribery, crime, skills development and public private partnerships. Shaanika said plans are that each region should hold two forums every year. Ohangwena launched its first forum in March and if all goes according to plan, regional business forums should be launched in 10 regions by end 2007. The NCCI chief said for the forums to succeed in their missions of creating real dialogue between the private and public sectors, both sides should engage in discussions with the aim of improving the business environment and the competitiveness of enterprises. “Achieving higher levels of competitiveness will bring about the global competitiveness of our economy and faster economic growth,” said Shaanika. Among the concerns of the business community and the public sector are the slow pace at which things are done at local authorities, as well as frustrations about the conduct and attitude of some members of the private sector. The FNB has made financial and human resources available in support of the forums. Among the topics to be addressed during the Oshana Business Forum to be held at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Hall are government procurement processes and the government’s capital budget for the 2007/8 financial year. Onesmus will address concerns from businesses in the north on how small and medium enterprises and rural-based businesses can equally win government tenders, while Mwinga will give a presentation on the budget for the entrepreneurs to understand what and how the government plans to spend money and also how the private sector can supply goods and services to the government in terms of the capital budget. FNB’s Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications, Dixon Norval, said by investing in businesses, the bank was investing in the country’s future because the only way Namibia could prosper is through economic growth. “There is no way we are going to prosper if we continue to do things the way we have been doing as the rest of the world is moving on,” said Norval. He said most entrepreneurs in the north did not have opportunities to interact with others to share their experiences and challenges, hence the bank saw the business forum as an investment opportunity in business development.