Namdeb and NovaNam sign key aquaculture agreement

NAMDEB and NovaNam Limited, two key players in the Namibian economy, last week signed an agreement that paves way for the development of an aquaculture project in the mined-out seawater ponds within Namdeb’s main land-based production area, Mining Area 1, in Oranjemund.

The signing was the first step in the joint aquaculture project, which will commence with an 18-month research phase to determine the feasibility of the ponds for breeding various fish species. Chairman and Group CEO of NovaNam Limited, Angel Tordesillas and Namdeb General Manager Rob Smart, signed the agreement with the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr Abraham Iyambo, the guest of honour, witnessing the event.”This is a joyous and momentous occasion… If we can manage to have the two giants in one kraal talking business, we can achieve a lot in Namibia,” Iyambo said in his address at the signing event.The Minister stressed that the development of aquaculture in Namibia has great potential to boost the income of Namibia.He cited the example of Chile, where aquaculture in one industry alone, namely that of Salmon, ensure employment for 25 000 people, and brings an income equivalent to N$10 billion per year to the country.Smart said the agreement was within Namdeb’s philosophy of sustainable investment, and it represented a great opportunity for diversifying the economy of Oranjemund.Chairman and Group CEO of NovaNam Limited, Angel Tordesillas and Namdeb General Manager Rob Smart, signed the agreement with the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr Abraham Iyambo, the guest of honour, witnessing the event.”This is a joyous and momentous occasion… If we can manage to have the two giants in one kraal talking business, we can achieve a lot in Namibia,” Iyambo said in his address at the signing event.The Minister stressed that the development of aquaculture in Namibia has great potential to boost the income of Namibia.He cited the example of Chile, where aquaculture in one industry alone, namely that of Salmon, ensure employment for 25 000 people, and brings an income equivalent to N$10 billion per year to the country.Smart said the agreement was within Namdeb’s philosophy of sustainable investment, and it represented a great opportunity for diversifying the economy of Oranjemund.