Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, will be joined by the Finnish Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Ville Skinnari, in officiating the opening of the Aviation and Connectivity Forum taking place in Windhoek between Wednesday and Friday.

A media release issued on Sunday by the Namibia Airports Company stated that the event will provide a platform for key aviation industry players and stakeholders to share, tackle, and put into motion ideas on the trajectory that the aviation industry and its related ecosystems over the next few years.

The forum will also further seek to cement the industry’s role as a key to Namibia’s economic recovery and growth, as well as drive the revival of the aviation industry and other ancillary industries such as tourism after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among other prominent stakeholders expected to attend the forum are the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Airlink, Rodger Foster, the CEO of AVICO International, Sylvian Bosc, an aviation consultant and former Airbus director, Kwameh Bekoe and Westair CEO, Henri van Schalkwyk, among others.

The forum will begin with nine working groups finalizing documents for discussions on topics ranging from regulatory reforms to training and skill development, route development, regional and international connectivity, and infrastructure investment, among others.