EU gives millions for research

THE European Commission (EC) yesterday allocated 1,5 million euro, nearly N$17 million, to support economic governance in Namibia as part of its Annual Action Programme (AAP) through the 10th European Development Fund.

‘It is necessary for Namibia to fast-track implementation of structural reforms in order to achieve the necessary growth rates to further reduce poverty in the country,’ said Elisabeth Pape, Head of the European Union Delegation to Namibia.The 2009 programme facilitates policy makers’ access to reliable data and economic research to make informed decisions, she said. Its objective is to support Namibia’s strategic approach to poverty reduction embedded in Vision 2030 and the Millennium Development Goals, by enabling the country to access economic policy advice and to conduct qualitative economic research. The project will reinforce the capacity of the Namibian Economic Policy Research Unit (Nepru), an independent research institute. Nepru, created at the time of Namibia’s independence in 1990, is one of the six leading economic research institutes in Africa. The project with Nepru will be implemented over the four coming years, Pape said. The new action plan follows the 2008 AAP, which totalled 9,65 million euro and included programmes aiming at improving the capacity of key public institutions, increasing efficiency in public service delivery and facilitating intensified dialogue on economic and democratic governance. AAP 2010 is expected to focus on education, water supply and sanitation. A statement released by Pape said EU co-operation with Namibia provides a total of 103 million euro, nearly N$1,1 billion, under the 10th European Development Fund for the period 2008 to 2013 to help Government reduce poverty by focusing on rural development with 42,5 million euro (N$468 million), human resources development with 42,15 million euro (N$464 million) and support to governance, capacity building and non-state actors with 15,65 million euro (N$172 million).

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