Hangana invests to weather storm

NAMIBIA’S fishing industry allows millions of dollars a year to slip through its fingers by basing exports largely on commodity products rather than retail products, Sven Thieme, Executive Chairman of Ohlthaver & List, said on Friday.

He was speaking at the launch of Hangana Seafood’s new value-adding factory at Walvis Bay, which was officially inaugurated by President Hifikepunye Pohamba. The Ohlthaver & List Group, of which Hangana is a subsidiary, invested some N$30 million to equip the factory with modern European technology such as packaging machines, flow lines, a freezing tunnel and Intelligent Portioning Machine.”Namibian fishing companies, and here I include our Hangana Seafood, largely failed to recognise the threats and challenges that emerged with the process of globalisation.[We] fell short in terms of market segmentation and thereby competed against each other in the international markets.Consequently the Namibian fishing industry moved into a state of crisis which was further aggravated by soaring crude oil prices and volatile exchange rates …,” said Thieme.Thieme singled out new protection measures implemented by the Fisheries Ministry, although necessary, and hesitant support from the financial sector and shareholders as serious challenges still facing the industry.President Pohamba echoed Thieme’s sentiments on financial support and said commercial banks could accelerate economic growth and address unemployment by expanding their services to all parts of the country.At the same time, the President took the fishing industry to task about recurring labour disputes that continue to keep the struggling sector in a stranglehold.”However …investments in machinery and fixed assets do not automatically guarantee productivity and competitiveness.We need to ensure that workers and employers have a platform to consult on issues …We need to …[promote] mutual understanding and harmonious labour relations …,” the President said.He implored companies to continuously train their workforce and impart new skills to enhance competitiveness and productivity.Referring to the song ‘The Impossible Dream’, performed by the Chairperson of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations, Denise van Bergen, Hangana Managing Director Volker Kuntzsch said the dream of improved catch rates was not impossible.Due to the heavy burden of rising fuel costs, only improved catch rates could help the Namibian fishing industry remain globally competitive, he said.”A large part of our Exclusive Economic Zone, that is the 200 nautical mile zone along the Namibian coast, is closed for hake fishing.We are not allowed to fish in waters shallower than 200 metres and we would greatly welcome research into the necessity for this regulation.A relaxation …to, say 100 or 150 metres, would immediately lead to improved catch rates and these are needed urgently.”Improved productivity and flexibility were also necessary to compete globally, said Kuntzsch.”Hangana Seafood is committed to ensure the highest possible level of employment, but productivity needs to be in line with our competitors in Asia who work on much lower salaries than we do here.”He called for flexibility to allow different shift patterns, a reduction in overtime, the implementation of work time accounts and stricter procedures to curb absenteeism.Hangana is one of Namibia’s largest producers of white fish, predominantly Cape Hake, which is exported to the USA, Australia and several European countries.It employs more than 1 000 workers.The Ohlthaver & List Group, of which Hangana is a subsidiary, invested some N$30 million to equip the factory with modern European technology such as packaging machines, flow lines, a freezing tunnel and Intelligent Portioning Machine.”Namibian fishing companies, and here I include our Hangana Seafood, largely failed to recognise the threats and challenges that emerged with the process of globalisation.[We] fell short in terms of market segmentation and thereby competed against each other in the international markets.Consequently the Namibian fishing industry moved into a state of crisis which was further aggravated by soaring crude oil prices and volatile exchange rates …,” said Thieme.Thieme singled out new protection measures implemented by the Fisheries Ministry, although necessary, and hesitant support from the financial sector and shareholders as serious challenges still facing the industry.President Pohamba echoed Thieme’s sentiments on financial support and said commercial banks could accelerate economic growth and address unemployment by expanding their services to all parts of the country.At the same time, the President took the fishing industry to task about recurring labour disputes that continue to keep the struggling sector in a stranglehold.”However …investments in machinery and fixed assets do not automatically guarantee productivity and competitiveness.We need to ensure that workers and employers have a platform to consult on issues …We need to …[promote] mutual understanding and harmonious labour relations …,” the President said.He implored companies to continuously train their workforce and impart new skills to enhance competitiveness and productivity.Referring to the song ‘The Impossible Dream’, performed by the Chairperson of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations, Denise van Bergen, Hangana Managing Director Volker Kuntzsch said the dream of improved catch rates was not impossible.Due to the heavy burden of rising fuel costs, only improved catch rates could help the Namibian fishing industry remain globally competitive, he said.”A large part of our Exclusive Economic Zone, that is the 200 nautical mile zone along the Namibian coast, is closed for hake fishing.We are not allowed to fish in waters shallower than 200 metres and we would greatly welcome research into the necessity for this regulation.A relaxation …to, say 100 or 150 metres, would immediately lead to improved catch rates and these are needed urgently.”Improved productivity and flexibility were also necessary to compete globally, said Kuntzsch.”Hangana Seafood is committed to ensure the highest possible level of employment, but productivity needs to be in line with our competitors in Asia who work on much lower salaries than we do here.”He called for flexibility to allow different shift patterns, a reduction in overtime, the implementation of work time accounts and stricter procedures to curb absenteeism.Hangana is one of Namibia’s largest producers of white fish, predominantly Cape Hake, which is exported to the USA, Australia and several European countries.It employs more than 1 000 workers.