WBCG eCorridor December 2014

November/December 2014

Namibia Logistics Hub Forum launched WBCG introduces a platform to engage logistics and transport sector stakeholders on the Namibia Logistics Hub initiative.

Meet the WBCG Management team Johny M. Smith CEO

Sophia van Wyk Manager : Finance & Administration Clive Smith Project Manager : Logistics Hub Siobhan Fox Business Development Manager : South Africa Andrew Sinyangwe Jr Business Development Manager : Zambia Samuel Sandi Consultant-Cluster Secretariat Walvis-Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor Kabash Munung Business Development Manager : DRC Ricardo Litkani Business Development Representative : Brazil Edward Shivute Project Manager : Wellness Service Cindy-Lu Hasheela Manager : Marketing & Communications Gilbert Boois Project Manager : Spacial Development Initiatives Immanuel Shipanga Manager : Projects & Funding

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PUBLISHERS INFO

Editor’s note

The festive season has come and gone.

With its ending comes the beginning of a new year filled with endless possibilities.

My resolution to myself is to become a student – armour myself with knowledge of our industry, my country, our neighbours and any information that is going to help me be of value to the team. First on my agenda is to read Namibia’s Fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) - cover to cover.

And as I read the foreword by our President, His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohaamba, I felt inspired. I would like to share an extract: ‘We need to have a mindset that sees opportunities and possibilities rather than obstacles. In order to achieve what we have set out in NDP4, all of us need to be galvanised into action. It is only through our collective and inclusive action that we can ensure all our people have the necessary support to achieve their full potential.

Yes, no one can doubt that our challenges are formidable.

Without an attitude of optimism combined with realism, it will be impossible to realise the goals that are set out in the Plan.’

I feel these are the perfect words to inspire us for the mammoth task we face in the year ahead. Yes, we have big goals (and a lot to do before we get there), yet through commitment, perserverance and the tireless dedication by all, it shall be done.

Our team at the Walvis Bay Corridor Group spent the close of 2014 reviewing, analysing and strategising on how we can better assist our members, strategic partners and the Logistics Industry in and outside our country. Our plans for 2015 are set and we have hit the ground running.

The passionate team of individuals at WBCG welcome the year with renewed energy. We continue our quest to build Namibia’s logistics industry!

We take this opportunity to wish you a prosperous year ahead. And more opportunities to work together.

Yours in logistics,

Cindy Side note: We are delighted to welcome the newest member of our editorial team, Ms Selma Shipanga. Selma joins us as WBCG’s new Marketing & Communications Officer and is responsible for compiling the e-Corridor. We look forward to the expertise she brings to our team. You are invited to send your contributions, ideas or comments to selma@wbcg.com.na.

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NEWS

Forum launched to aid Namibia’s logistics hub aspiration

The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), in collaboration with South Africa’s Transport Forum, launched the Namibia Logistics Hub Forum in Walvis Bay on Friday, 05 December 2014.

The Logistics Hub Forum is a platform to engage stakeholders within Namibia’s logistics and transport sector, which aims to create awareness with regards to information pertaining to the sector.

themes of national relevance will be invited to present their perspective on specific disciplines within this sector. The knowledge derived from these sessions will be made freely available to all participants.

As part of the NDP4, it is Namibia’s national goal to become the Logistics and Distribution Hub for Southern Africa. The Logistics Hub Forum is meant to contribute to the conversation and form the type of collaboration that will eventually lead towards achieving this national goal.

Forum discussions are scheduled to start in February this year.

The Forum will host monthly discussions covering various topics related to the logistics and transport sector. Credible speakers on transport and logistics related

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The Logistics Hub is a project under the WBCG. The mission of the WBCG is amongst others to facilitate and promote transport and trade along our secure and reliable corridors as well as provide innovative service offerings to our customers.

Continues to next page

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Above: The Transport Forum’s custodian, Harry van Huyssteen enchanting stakeholders from Namibia and South Africa’s logistics industry.

Main photo above: WBCG CEO, Johny Smith, details the Namibia Logistics Hub Forum concept to a captivated audience.

NEWS

Logistics Hub Forum Continued from previous page

THE NAMIBIAN LOGISTICS HUB CONCEPT Background Namibia has a clear vision to become a regional leader in logistics and distribution in Southern Africa. Our current National Development Plan Four (NDP4) has identified Logistics as one of the economic priorities, an area in which Namibia has a clear comparative advantage. Against this background, Namibia has embarked on a transformation process to establish itself as the “Logistics Hub for Southern Africa”.

Objectives

Motivation

The Logistics Hub concept entails an intervention process that strives to unleash the latent growth and development potential of specific geographical locations in Namibia through the identification, packaging, formulation and marketing of the Logistics Hub for the SADC region and beyond. To achieve this objective, the Logistics Hub Project was established under the umbrella of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG).

The WBCG is one of the few success stories of Public Private Partnership (PPP) entities that are functioning effectively in Namibia & SADC. The WBCG’s unique compilation of Private and Public stakeholders provides it with a distinct advantage which is successfully illustrated in various Corridor management programs and through its role as marketing and developing agency for Namibia’s Transport Sector.

The desired outcome is for Namibia to have laid the foundation for establishing itself as a regional leader in logistics and distribution and that by 2017 the cargo volumes handled should be doubled.

As the Logistics Hub is also based on similar principles of public private sector cooperation, the proven institutional efficiency will be to the benefit of the Logistics Hub development process.

The overall objective is to put in place sustainable institutional arrangements and mechanisms that would ensure the transformation of the Port of Walvis Bay and the Walvis Bay Corridors into economic corridors for the socioeconomic growth and development of the country.

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Mr Johny M. Smith pictured with Dr Andrew Shaw from PriceWaterhouse-Coopers and Susan Wood from Savino Del Bene during the launch of the Logistics Hub Forum

The role of the Ministry of Works & Transport alongside the WBCG will ensure that the future Logistics Hub development process will transpire under the auspices of and with the direct involvement of the National Planning Commission.

Once completed, the WBCG together with the support of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, will determine suitable arrangements

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on how best to promote and implement the Logistics Hub Plan.

With established branch offices in Zambia, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo and Brazil, the WBCG’s footprint can strengthen our role as marketing and developing agency to grow the development of the Logistics Hub. The WBCG has also established a very good relationship and network with Namibian Embassies.

The commercial representatives, based at these Embassies will form an essential part of promoting the Logistics Hub to the international world.

ABOUT THE TRANSPORT FORUM The Transport Forum is a South African nationally recognized platform for thought leadership by organizations and individuals who are active in the transport and logistics industry. They operate under state owned enterprise arivia.kom, which is responsible for the development and maintenance Information and Communication Technology solutions within South Africa’s Transport Sector.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

WBCG briefs its Namibian stakeholders The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) gathered stakeholders from the Namibian Logistics industry for the annual end-of-year stakeholder information session held in Windhoek and Walvis Bay. The purpose was to share the group’s activities in 2014, as well as provide them with an overview of the developments in the regional markets over the same period within the sector, and the growth opportunities that currently exist.

The port of Walvis Bay and its corridors currently offer an ‘efficient’ logistics chain which enables goods to move from any part of the world to service the SADC region as fast and cost effective as possible. However as a result, now more than ever, ‘capacity’ is needed to increase cargo volumes in order to cater to demanding markets.

The WBCG Business Development Managers from Brazil, South Africa, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), long with the Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat emphasized this reality.

The WBCG’s strategic plan for the period 2011 – 2016 focuses on

efforts to increase cargo volumes for the Port of Walvis Bay and its corridors, as well as enhance the competitiveness thereof.

The past quarter has seen many improvements in terms of the volumes going into the South African market, with volumes for the Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat (TKCS) having increased by more than 200 000 metric tons year on year. In Zambia, participation from stakeholders has amplified, with many opportunities still existing within this market.

Volumes to this market through the Port of Walvis Bay have grown exponentially, however an increase in transport capacities is required in order to triple the Walvis BayNdola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor’s current volumes.

Emphasizing this point, WBCG CEO, Johny Smith went on to say: “It is for the stakeholders in the Namibian Logistics Sector to ensure we increase our market

share within these markets. We can’t do this without collaborating with each other.”

Mining and minerals remain the existing and operational sectors in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) market, which means there is a lot of potential for exports within this sector. Meanwhile, Brazil remains keen and interested to develop and cooperate with the SADC countries, via Namibia, through the Port of Walvis Bay. Brazilian stakeholders have expressed interest to set up various Hubs in Namibia, conduct studies as well as render support to funding projects in cooperation with the WBCG to support SADC importers.

In 2014, the WBCG team have represented the Namibian Logistics Industry at numerous exhibitions and international forums. The group have worked tirelessly to promote the Port of Walvis Bay, it’s Corridors and Namibia in general.

In the year ahead the WBCG entend to continue their efforts at transforming Namibia into the Logistics Hub for the SADC region.

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The Walvis Bay Corridor Group’s Business Development Managers (from left): Kabash Munung - DRC market; Andrew Sinyangwe Jr - Zambia market; Siobhan Fox South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe market; Ricardo Litkani - Brazilian market.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Namibian bid to fund US$19 billion plan may start this year Namibia will start tapping markets and investors to finance a fiveyear, US$19 billion (N$223 billion) development plan as early as this year, as the country seeks to become a regional transport hub.

Government has said it would finance N$73 billion from the national budget and use a variety of other methods to raise the rest of the money for ports, railways, roads and airport upgrades.

“The best way to address these funding need is to pursue various alternatives including public private partnerships and listed infrastructure funds, among others,” Emma Haiyambo, a spokeswoman for the Bank of Namibia (BoN) in Windhoek, said in e-mail responses to questions.

Namibia intends to position itself as a channel for trade among landlocked neighbours including Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.

The nation is in the process of expanding capacity and building bulk cargo handling facilities at its deep water port at Walvis Bay, as well as upgrading the harbor at Luderitz.

Also targeted are customers from southern Angola.

The government will come up with a way to “encourage the participation of private financiers and investors, both locally and internationally,” to participate in the fundraising, Haiyambo said.

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“Our expectation is that there will be appetite from domestic investors,” she said.

“Local and international investors have confidence in the Namibian economy, its regulatory landscape and its general macroeconomic outlook.”

Diamonds, Uranium Namibia’s economy is expected to grow by 5.6% in 2015, up from 5.3% last year, buoyed by construction, retail trade, diamond mining and manufacturing, according to the central bank on 12 December 2014.

The country is the world’s fifth largest producer of uranium and the biggest source of offshore diamonds, most of which are minded by Namdeb Diamond Corporation, the government’s join venture with Anglo American Plc’s De Beers unit.

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Namibia has started a N$45 billion mass housing programme to provide homes to low-income earners and increase energy generation.

Work on some of the transportation projects is expected to start this year, the central banks Haiyambo said.

The government is working “to establish a policy framework that will encourage and enable the private sector to participate in funding Namibia’s infrastructure gap,” she said.

“With sound policies, extensive consultation and innovation, we are confident that the private sector can participate in funding the infrastructure needs.”

Source: Bloomberg via the Namibian Sun newspaper

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

WBCG discusses Public-Private Partnership model in Botswana The Walvis Bay Corridor Group recently attending

engaged the

delegates

Botswana

Annual

Investment and Trade Conference held in Gaborone in October 2014.

Our Business Development Manager, Siobhan Fox, along with the Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat’s Marketing & Business Development Specialist, Zunaid Pochee, participated in a panel discussion providing valuable insight into the use of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to enhance infrastructure development.

The WBCG was called upon to discuss our experience of using the PPP model to accelerate infrastructure development. The WBCG’s unique public-private partnership set-up of transportation and logistics stakeholders allows for the pooling of re¬sources, expertise and authorities from both the regulators and the operators, forming an integrated transport and logistics service for potential

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customers. The WBCG is one of the few success stories of the public-private partnership entities functioning in Namibia and other SADC countries.

Discussions centered around the development of rail as an example of where the PPP model is necessary. With the cost of building rail infrastructure being astronomical, it can not be left to governments to handle alone.

Private company involvement and investment increases the success rate probability.

Panelist, Prof. John Mourmouris, Head of Department for International Economic Relations and Development at the Democritus of Trace in Greece, explained that PPP arrangements are complex as Public and Private sectors have varied visions. He however indicated that the partnership is a neccessity and with focused efforts all will reap the reward together.

Although only in its second year, the Investment and Trade Conference drew in a number of participants,

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not only from Botswana, but from surrounding countries as well.

‘Enhancing the business landscape through foreign direct investment and exports’ was the theme for the event. CEO of the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre, Letsebe Sejoe, emphasised the need to look at how to improve Africa’s international competitive ratings.

He encouraged all delegates to take full advantage of the opportunities created by the conference and expo.

The three-day Global Expo, which ran concurrently with the conference, aimed to stimulate trade for businesses in the country.

With 160 exhibitors booked, the expo continued its growth. In his welcoming address, Botswana’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Vincent Seretse, encouraged businesses to connect with local and international companies to establish new business relationships, which could lead to the development of new products and services for the market.

WBCG WELLNESS SERVICE

Wellness showcases at first Health PPP Conference The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), through its Wellness Service, was invited by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) to participate in the first ever Health Public Private Partnership (PPP) Conference. The theme of the conference was ‘Forging partnerships to save lives’.

Through the Wellness Service, the WBCG has established a network of roadside wellness centres across the country in collaboration with industry partners and the MOHSS to provide HIV/AIDS and other primary health care related services to mobile populations such as long distance truck drivers, sex workers and general border communities within close proximity of cross border areas.

The WBCG Wellness Service facilitates and promotes the development and design of appropriate employees wellness and HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support programmes in the workplace.

The Walvis Bay Corridor Group thanks the following partners for their support: - SFH Society for Family Health (USAID) US Government - The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) - The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany - Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) - SADC Secretariat - The Namibia Institute of Pathology Services (NIP) - Ministry of Works and Transport (MoWT) - The Regional and Town Councils of our active areas - The Directorate and the people of the regions we operate in WBCG member companies

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The conference took place in Windhoek on 8 – 9 December 2014 and the objective was to profile the Framework for Public Private Partnership for the health sector as approved

by Cabinet in 2013 and to conduct consultations with stakeholders for identification of priority areas in health service delivery for possible private sector involvement. The WBCG’s main organizational strength has always been its unique public - private partnerships (PPP) that is set up for transport and logistics stakeholders from both the public and private sector.

At the conference, the WBCG’s Wellness Service submitted a successful project paper that was one of the 20 priority projects selected by the MoHSS and also got a chance to showcase some of its products and services to the over 500 delegates from all over Namibia and beyond.

Dr. Richard Kamwi, Namibia’s Minister for Health and Social Services was amongst those who visited the Wellness Service exhibition showcase and later through his ministry thanked the WBCG for its participation. “I wish to register our profound gratitude to your company for exhibiting its products and services at the Health PPP Conference 2014.

Based on the feedback we have received, the conference was a resounding success.”

The Wellness Service also operates mobile wellness clinics with the main focus on the well-being of the trucking industry by providing on-site biometric wellness screening services. Some of the services offered through the mobile clinics include HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT), CD4 count measurements/tests, basic primary health care, cholesterol screening and tuberculosis screening.

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WBCG WELLNESS SERVICE

WBCG WELLNESS SERVICE COMMEMORATES WORLD AIDS DAY 2014 The Walvis Bay Corridor Group’s (WBCG) Wellness Service initiative joined the rest of the country to commemorate World Aids Day in the most significant manner.

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The Wellness Service commenced their activities at the end of November, with an intensive weeklong HIV awareness and testing campaign in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport as well as other stakeholders within the sector.

During this period, the WBCG offered free health services such as biometric wellness screening, HIV testing and counseling. More than ten companies within the private sector participated, which enabled us to reach over 1500 employees with behavioral change and communication messages.

About 600 employees were reached with HIV counseling and testing services.

The main event was preceded by a ‘March of Hope’, where a convoy of trucks belonging to WBCG members travelled from the Soweto Market through Independence Avenue, ending at the main venue in Katutura. The event was wellattended and was witnessed by various delegates including, the Ambassador of the United States of America (USA) to Namibia, H.E. Thomas Daughton.

The WBCG also collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Social Services at the official World Aids Day Ceremonial event that took place on 4 December 2014 at the Katutura Youth Complex.

World Aids Day is commemorated worldwide every year on 1 December. The day is used to raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic and to remember those who have bravely passed on, as well as celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services in the world.

The WBCG concluded its commemoration with a wellness testing campaign at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, where 60 employees were tested for HIV and other lifestyle-related ailments.

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Namibia is amongst the top five worst hit countries in the world, with approximately 40 new infections occurring every day.

The epidemic has cut across all sectors of society and is severely affecting the population. Due to the nature of their work, mobile populations such as long distance truck drivers and other workers within the Namibian transport sector are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection.

The official theme for 2014 was ‘Getting to Zero’. This theme has been in use since 2011 and will continue until 2015. It echoes the UNAIDS vision of achieving ‘Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.’

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our Zambian BDM certified to facilitate trade The Bali Trade Facilitation Agreement aims to reduce bottlenecks, as well as improve procedures for the flow of goods across borders in developing countries.

The training designed to equip SADC member states with knowledge on the steps to be taken once the agreement comes into force. The Bali Trade Facilitation Agreement represents huge potential gains for developing countries and will help African countries to unlock this potential.

WBCG’s Business Development Manager for Zambia, Andrew Sinyangwe Jr, recently received a trade facilitation certification at the BALI Trade Facilitation Agreement review through the ESAMI/ TRAPCA Institute in Arusha, Tanzania.

Andrew receiving his certificate from Zimbabwe Customs Commissioner Mr Kuzvinzwa, centre is Professor Kerenge and far right Mr Creck Mirito – Customs & International Trade Consultant

The certificate follows Andrew’s participation at the training offered during the review of the BALI Trade Facilitation Agreement that took place at the Institute recently. It was facilitated by the Zambian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was attended by delegates from SADC member states and East Africa in the fields of trade, agriculture, finance and export development.

In addition to being a Business Development Manager for the WBCG, Andrew also holds the position of ViceChairman for International Relations, Trade and Investments Committee at the Zambian Chamber of Commerce.

Meet our new faces at WBCG

We are pleased to welcome the following individuals to the WBCG team.

Selma Shipanga

Henry Platt

Marketing and Communications Officer

Accountant Based in Windhoek

Based in Windhoek

Start date: 1 December 2014

Start date: 17 November 2014 I have vast experience in journalism, corporate communications, planning and project management.

What are the challenges in the industry? Every aspect of business starts with communication.

Communication shapes the way we understand history and shapes the future we are moving towards. It is important that in our communication, we convey the message clearly, understandably; and that the methods used to communicate are in line with current trends.

In my view, efficiency as well as excellent service delivery can only be achieved through clear channels of communication.

I’m excited to be a part of the dynamic WBCG and hope to tangibly make a positive contribution.

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My financial background stems back as far as 2002 and encompasses a B.Comm Degree in Accounting and Business Management, articles completed at KPMG Namibia and as of late Financial Accountant for a group of companies. My audit client profile ranges from the energy & petroleum sector to the hospitality, FMCG, safety & security, air transport, and IT sectors primarily. My financial accounting and admin profile strengthened further as I entered the manufacturing, property and hospitality industries as Financial Accountant, until I joined WBCG in December 2014 as Accountant.

Challenges in the market generally encompass strenuous time constraints on reporting, and this, accompanied with incapable, or even unwilling accounting professionals lacking the required sense of ethics and integrity, leave the accounting profession looking less than desirable.

I look forward to this exciting new chapter with WBCG and together with the existing strong set of financial skills and expertise, I believe we can take the group to greater heights as a support function.

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Need assistance with Biometric Wellness Screening services at your workplace?

The WBCG Wellness project operates mobile wellness clinics that focus on the wellbeing of the Namibian trucking industry, by providing on-site biometric wellness screening services.

This initiative also spreads beyond the trucking industry into allied industries. We aim to raise awareness about HIV prevention and promote healthy lifestyles among mobile populations and general transport workers.

For bookings of the WBCG mobile wellness clinics, contact the WBCG mobile wellness Service for request forms.

Walvis Bay Corridor Group Wellness Service 31 General Murtala Muhammed Avenue, Eros P. O. Box 25220, Windhoek, Namibia T. +264 61 251 669 F. +264 61 251 683 E. wellness@wbcg.com.na W. www.wbcg.com.na