SWAKOPMUND – Businesses, including SMEs should prepare themselves for the port expansion by Namport by engaging the port utility.
By engaging with Namport local businesses and contractors could prepare themselves on how to also benefit from the huge port expansion project that will be completed in phases. This is the view of the Chief Executive Officer of Namport, Bisey Uirab. According to him Namport does not foresee foreign companies providing all the services during the duration of the construction project. That is why he is urging coastal residents and Namibians in general to take note and to prepare themselves, while there is still time in order to benefit from the multi-billion dollar capital project, when it gets off the ground. Uirab was addressing the business community during the last consultative meeting of the Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), Swakopmund branch held yesterday.
Namport last month signed a N$3 billion agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the construction and equipping of a new container terminal as part of the port’s expansion plans. Construction is expected to start early 2014. Uirab explained that 30 percent of the value of the tender must be spent on Namibian businesses and at least 5 percent, which translates into about N$50 million on local SMEs. He encouraged SMEs to seize the opportunities that will become available and to be assertive in pursuing them. Uirab also highlighted the fact that transportation, accommodation and the provision of building sand, as well as tourism activities will be in high demand during the port expansion. “The port expansion will bring about opportunities for both coastal towns in terms of tourism and hospitality and Namibians must grab these opportunities,” Uirab reiterated.
He said the project would be audited to ensure that Namibians benefit. “SME’s should approach the companies which are offered contracts and consult with them on what they can offer in terms of services,” Uirab said.
The port expansion is expected to dramatically increase the harbour’s clientele and its profit margins, while increasing the port’s ability to attract even more clients in the long run, further cementing it as a gateway to landlocked countries in the region.
The current container terminal will also be revamped – a move aimed at increasing the port’s capacity to deal with cargo growth.
By Eveline de Klerk