New business survey to have local flavour

AS reported last week, a new business survey called the Namibia Business and Investment Climate Survey (namBIC) will be launched soon.

So what makes this survey, envisioned by the Namibian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), the Namibian Manufacturers’ Association (NMA) and the German Development Corporation (GTZ), different from others around at the moment?
According to NCCI Chief Executive Officer Tara Shaanika, it will be more detailed and contain more Namibia-specific information.
Shaanika said the other surveys are ‘inadequate for our needs’.
He said more detailed information is needed, especially on the challenges facing businesses in Namibia, as these figures could then be used in negotiations with Government.
Shaanika said the business community currently ‘doesn’t have proof’ of some of the obstacles to business growth and so cannot make a solid case to Government to change procedures.
He says similar surveys like the Global Competitiveness Report carried out by the World Economic Forum ‘do not cover local issues’.
The three primary partners will be assisted in carrying out the survey by research units Namibian Economic Policy Research Unit (Nepru) and the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). Klaus Schade, acting director of Nepru, says the new survey will focus especially on areas to do with Government involvement, for example asking whether businesses are satisfied with Government infrastructure and service.
He says there will be a ‘focus on politically relevant questions’ and that this will allow a better dialogue between the public and private sectors, as it will provide concrete information for the two parties to work with.
Schade says the survey will also be more inclusive than most currently carried out, as it will encompass all regions of Namibia and will have more than 800 participants.
He says it will also try to incorporate as many different business sectors as possible. The GTZ is sponsoring the first survey with N$220 000.