NamRa Time Release Study

The Namibian Revenue Agency (NAMRA) recently conducted a Time Release Study (TRS) in collaboration with the Port of Walvis Bay. The TRS is a comprehensive assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of trade procedures andprocesseswiththeaimofidentifyingandaddressingbottlenecksanddelaysin themovementofgoodsthroughtheport.

TheTRSinvolvedadetailedanalysisofthe entire supply chain, from the arrival of goodsattheporttotheirfinaldelivery,and included feedback from stakeholders such as importers, exporters, customs officials, and logistics service providers. The study was conducted in line with international best practices and standards to benchmark the performance of the Port ofWalvis Bay against other ports in the region and globally The findings of the TRS revealed several areas for improvement, including the need for more streamlined procedures for customs clearance, better communication between stakeholders and improved infra- structure and technology The study also highlightedtheimportanceocollaboration between the various stakeholders in the supply chain, and the need for ongoing monitoringandevaluationofperformance toensurecontinuousimprovements. NamRa and the Port of Walvis bay have already begun implementing some of the recommendations from the TRS, includingtheintroductionofasingleelectronic platformforalltrade-relatedtransactions, the establishment of a dedicated stakeholderengagementforum,andtheexpansion of infrastructure at the port to accommodateincreasedtradevolumes.

Sea levels are predicted to rise by 18 to 59cm by the year 2100

Ariseinsealevelsandstormsurges,changesinseatemperatureandacidityleadingtoreducedfish populations, and a decline in catches such as sardines, and coastal erosion are all due to climate change.

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. During a workshop on Climate Change held by the Namibia Media Professionals Union (NAMPU) in collaboration with the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on 24 and 25 February in Windhoek for media professionals in Namibia, aimed at enhancing the capabilitiesofjournaliststoreporteffectively and have a better understanding of climate changeandotherenvironmentalissuesfacing Namibia,ProfessorSimonShifa,anEnvironmental Scientist shared some facts on why Namibia is vulnerable to climate change. Shifa mentioned that Namibia is one of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa with low, highly variable rainfall of 25mm-700mm.

Shifasaidclimatechangeisexpectedtoworsen the highly variable climate of Namibia and Namibia's economy is largely dependent on natural resources such as agriculture, mineral deposits, ecosystems, marine fisheries,andbiodiversity “Asadevelopingcountry,Namibiahasleastadaptivecapacitydueto lackofresources,skillsandtechnology”.

Duringhispresentation,Shifamentionedthat the sea levels are expected to rise by 18 to 59cm by the year 2100. According to Shifa, climatechangeispredictedtohaveanimpact on the biodiversity and tourism sector, there willbeasignificantincreaseinthesizeofarid landareas,andclimatechangeisexpectedto cause damage to important ecosystems and related potential risk of reduction in tourism.

Shifa said changes in temperature, vegetation,water,andthelocationofwildlifewill, for instance, hinder wildlife safaris, water sports, and backpacking activities in Namibia.

Inhispresentation,Shifaalsosharedpredictionsonhowclimatechangemightaffectthe health sector. According to Shifa, climate changewillincreasethelikelihoodofvector and water borne diseases, especially malaria andcholerainfloodedareas.Climatechange is also predicted to have an impact on the “triplevulnerability”ofHIV/AIDSsufferers: adverse climate conditions will put more strains on the health system. Increase incidences of heat stress, dehydration, reduced abilitytocopewithotherstressorsanddiseases,andlossoflifeowingtoahighernumber ofdrowningincidentsarealsoexpected. Climate change is also expected to cause damage to key infrastructures such as road networks which restricts access to homesteads and services such as schools and healthcare facilities. Other key infrastructures include railways, dams, water pipes, electricity transmission facilities, communicationinfrastructure,andsewerageanddrainagesystems.

AccordingtoShifa,climatechangewillalso reduce production at the Ruacana hydroelectricpowerplantduetoreducedflowrates in the Kunene River and there will be an increasedneedandopportunitiestoinvestin renewableenergytomitigateclimatechange.