Namibia criticised for allocating mackerel catch to state-owned company
Namibia’s decision to award the lion’s share of the country’s allocation of horse mackerel to the state-owned fishing company and an Angolan partner, has drawn criticism for flouting a commitment to localise the industry and tender requirements. Fisheries minister Bernhardt Esau granted the National Fishing Corporation of Namibia (Fishcor) 16% of the country’s total allowable catch of 35,000 tonnes of the fish for 15 years in a deal that is potentially worth N$1.8bn ($143m). The fisheries sector is Namibia’s third-biggest contributor to GDP, after mining and agriculture. Fishcor is partnering with Angola’s African Selection Trust SA to establish a N$350m processing plant at the coastal town of Walvis Bay. The decision has drawn criticism for excluding local firms, while the Namibian newspaper reported that the agreement was not put out for public tender as required for state-owned companies. Namsov Fishing Enterprise, a unit of Bidvest Namibia, recently announced plans to close oper...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.