Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has assured genuine national and international investors of the government's commitment to providing a conducive business environment.
Nandi-Ndaitwah gave the assurance while officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony for Benguela Blue Aqua Farm at Luderitz.
Benguela Blue Aqua Farm envisages producing 35,000 metric tonnes of premium Atlantic salmon, which will be exported to key markets in Europe, the USA, and southeast Asia.
About 600 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect employment opportunities are expected to be created through the project.
"On behalf of the Namibian government, I would like to assure you and all other investors, both local and international, of our continued support and dedication to maintaining a conducive investment environment for your business to thrive, which is first and foremost anchored in political stability, safety, and security. We have to make sure that Namibia is stable, safe, and secure. As a country, we pride ourselves on being a nation that respects good governance and the rule of law. In Namibia, you are also assured of a strong legal system and an independent judiciary that protects the rights of our people and investors."
The Vice President reminded investors to respect the country's labour laws while stressing that transferring skills from expatriates to Namibians is critical.
"As a government, we also believe in good labour relations, an important element for productivity. They should be respected at all times. I am referring to Namibian laws; there should be no shortcuts to our labour laws. Our labour force is the biggest asset we have to develop this country, and they need a conducive environment."
The Namibia Investment, Promotion, and Development Board (NIPDB) facilitated the blue aqua farming investment.
Blue Aqua Farming anticipates commencing with the cultivation of salmon in 2025 and expecting the harvest in 2026.
The groundbreaking ceremony also saw the aqua farming company sign a land deal with the Luderitz Town Council.