Staff Reporter
THE Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) is encouraging investors to apply for the newly introduced Employment Permit to Conduct Business, which is designed to provide greater certainty and long-term security for investors looking to establish and operate businesses in Namibia.
“Namibia has taken a significant step towards strengthening its global competitiveness as a viable investment destination with the launch of a new Employment Permit to Conduct Business (Investor Permit), providing qualifying investors with a more streamlined and predictable process to establish and operate businesses in the country. The permit will enhance the country’s ability to effectively attract and retain investors who contribute to sustainable economic growth,” NIPDB’s Acting Executive of Competitiveness and Branding, Catherine Shipushu, said.
She explained that the new permit offers a significant improvement over the current standard two-year employment permit, as it may be issued for up to five years and functions simultaneously as work authorisation, giving qualifying investors and their core staff added certainty for long-term planning and business operations in Namibia.
“In accordance with the processes established by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS), applications for the Employment Permit to Conduct a Business are to be submitted through the NIPDB, as the designated first point of call. As part of the assessment process, the NIPDB confirms the investor’s status and conducts an economic evaluation of the proposed investment. Following this assessment, the NIPDB submits its recommendation to the MHAISS for consideration by the Immigration Selection Board,” she said.
Shipushu clarified that the NIPDB’s role ends once its recommendation has been submitted to the ministry. The final decision on an application rests with the MHAISS, which is the authorised institution responsible for issuing visas and permits.
“The new permit is intended for foreign investors whose investor status has been confirmed by the NIPDB. Applicants must submit a complete application in the prescribed form together with all required supporting documentation and satisfy the applicable criteria as assessed by the NIPDB. Applicants who do not qualify as eligible for the 5-year permit should apply through the existing Employment Permit process, through MHAISS,” Shipushu explained.
She said the NIPDB remains committed to facilitating engagement between the Government and the private sector as Namibia seeks to attract quality investment, create employment opportunities and accelerate industrialisation. She added that the organisation would continue working to ensure that the country’s investment-related policies remain responsive to changes in the global business environment.
“In today’s highly competitive investment landscape, countries are increasingly competing on the certainty, responsiveness and predictability of their business environments, and thus the speed and ease at which a potential investor can establish a business becomes a key determining factor of where their capital is ultimately deployed. The introduction of the investor permit is thus an important step to improving Namibia’s ease of doing business and enhancing our overall competitiveness as an investment destination,” Shipushu said.
The prescribed application forms and supporting documentation requirements are available from the NIPDB office and website, as well as the MHAISS website and offices countrywide. Investors seeking more information on the new permit are advised to contact investorpermit@nipdb.com.
Photo: NIPDB
