President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged the public and private sectors, as well as other stakeholders, to collectively address the challenges hindering Namibia's prosperity.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the appeal when she opened the first-ever Namibia Public-Private Forum (NamPPF) in Windhoek.
The objective of the forum is to facilitate dialogue between the public and private sectors on matters of economic development.
According to President Nandi-Ndaitwah, the NamPPF is being institutionalised as a "partnership of purpose," serving as a bridge between the government and the business community.
She called on participants to use the next two days to present their best ideas and boldest proposals for discussion, emphasising the importance of translating the dialogue's outcomes into concrete and timely action.
"Let me reiterate what I have often said: as a nation with this volume of resources, we are too few to be poor. Our God-given wealth must become a mechanism for shared prosperity, not for a few, but for all, but this requires a paradigm shift. We can no longer afford to do things the same way and expect new results. Namibia's future demands courage, innovation, and action."
The recently launched Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) calls for a deliberate economic transformation strategy, which the President says requires the country to expand its export base, increase productivity, and strengthen the competence of the public service.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah further urged Namibians to negotiate from a position of strength when it comes to their natural resources.
"We cannot be beggars in the international community when we have resources. We must have the leverage and even bring them to the point where they can beg us. It is possible; it depends on how you approach it. I have been there; you gave me a chance for more than 10 years as Minister of International Relations. Do not be bullied out of your own resources."
The Namibia Public-Private Forum (NamPPF) is expected to meet annually, with the National Planning Commission serving as the lead coordinator.
Director-General of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Kaire Mbuende, said, "The public sector will play its part in designing an enabling environment and stimulating growth through various policy interventions; the government's role is also to level the playing field."
Also speaking at the forum was Titus Nampala, the CEO of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).
He said, "I certainly hope that those in the local authorities and other regulators will join this forum for alignment."
The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) serves as the Secretariat of the Public-Private Forum.