Namibian SDI projects identified

THE Walvis Bay SDI (Spatial Development Initiative) in Namibia has identified anchor projects for further development. The SDI was established through a bilateral agreement between the governments of Namibia and South Africa and it covers the strip 250 km north and south of the Trans Kalahari Highway from the Botswana border in the east to Walvis Bay/Swakopmund in the west. During a presentation held on June 4 in Windhoek, these projects were presented by Phillip Seibeb, project manager of the SDI, together with consultants assisting him, to the local tourism industry. The anchor projects identified in this study were: a small luxury lodge in the Palmwag Concession Area along the Hoanib River, a similar type lodge at Meob Bay along the coast west of Sossusvlei and an upmarket lodge in the Daan Viljoen Game Reserve near Windhoek. The development projects will be marketed to possible investors in the tourism industry worldwide by direct contact as well as through the Investment Centre of the Namibia Ministry of Trade & Industry, foreign Namibian embassies and a proposed SDI Investors’ Conference. (Hennie Fourie)