Business council to stimulate growth

LOCAL business leader, Pupkewitz Holding’s Executive Chairman Harold Pupkewitz, is taking the lead in facilitating the formation of a business council, whose intention is to have the council meet regularly (perhaps quarterly or half-yearly) with the highest levels of Government.

This would provide an essential two-way liaison between government and the business community on socio-economic issues affecting the achievement of Vision 2030, specifically economic growth which according to Pupkewitz, must at least double from its present 2-4 per cent per annum range to at least 4-6 per cent per annum and possibly more if the Vision 2030 targets are to be achieved. Pupkewitz said, last November his group invited and met with some 20 Namibian business leaders to explore scenarios covering issues such as Black Economic Empowerment, Affirmative Action, land reform and HIV-AIDS and their impact on the economy.One of the proposals arising from this meeting was the formation of a pilot committee to steer the development of a business council with representatives from all major sectors of the economy.The business council would provide the government with ready access to the thoughts, views and opinions of the business sector on important socio-economic issues and be in a position to provide reliable information and analysis if called upon.In an interview with The Namibian, Pupkewitz stressed that the business council would complement existing business organisations by establishing a body representing the entire business community in meetings with ministers, the Prime Minister and even the President when necessary.Meetings would be conducted according to well prepared agenda items and professionally researched documentation with the aim of ensuring that the best possible courses of action are considered in working towards Namibia’s development objectives, said Pupkewitz.”The business community wants to make a dent on unemployment, create jobs, broaden the tax base and encourage as many Namibians as possible to participate in the country’s economic growth.To achieve these aims a public-private sector partnership sharing common objectives is vital for success”, he added.Invitations to potential pilot committee members will soon be sent out and Pupkewitz said business people interested in establishing the business council could contact him directly.Pupkewitz said, last November his group invited and met with some 20 Namibian business leaders to explore scenarios covering issues such as Black Economic Empowerment, Affirmative Action, land reform and HIV-AIDS and their impact on the economy.One of the proposals arising from this meeting was the formation of a pilot committee to steer the development of a business council with representatives from all major sectors of the economy.The business council would provide the government with ready access to the thoughts, views and opinions of the business sector on important socio-economic issues and be in a position to provide reliable information and analysis if called upon.In an interview with The Namibian, Pupkewitz stressed that the business council would complement existing business organisations by establishing a body representing the entire business community in meetings with ministers, the Prime Minister and even the President when necessary.Meetings would be conducted according to well prepared agenda items and professionally researched documentation with the aim of ensuring that the best possible courses of action are considered in working towards Namibia’s development objectives, said Pupkewitz.”The business community wants to make a dent on unemployment, create jobs, broaden the tax base and encourage as many Namibians as possible to participate in the country’s economic growth.To achieve these aims a public-private sector partnership sharing common objectives is vital for success”, he added.Invitations to potential pilot committee members will soon be sent out and Pupkewitz said business people interested in establishing the business council could contact him directly.