In my message today, I would like to talk about the following three key issues; first, how Namibia should position itself to maximize its gains from these discoveries; second, briefly reflect on some critical measures to be put in place to avoid resource mismanagement; and finally, speak to the head-start we have made as a country through the establishment of the newly established sovereign wealth fund, the Welwitschia Fund.
In this situation, the increase in exports is expected to remain very modest, and industrial production is likely to be more or less unchanged for the immediate future. With respect to domestic demand, public investment is projected to follow a declining trend, and private consumption is likely to remain weak for some time due to the severe employment and income situation.