The Third National Development Plan (NDP3) is another major step on our long journey to achieve Our Nation’s Vision to be a prosperous industrialised country by 2030, developed by our people, and enjoying peace, harmony and political stability. Like the Vision, NDP3 is the product of the efforts of a wide range of Namibian and international stakeholders in Windhoek and the 13 Regions that participated in the identification of the needs, priorities, opportunities and challenges facing our people, and prepared responsive policies and programmes following the National Consultation
Conference in October 2007.
The Right Honourable Prime Minister and the Honourable Cabinet Ministers; the Honourable
Speaker of the National Assembly and Members of Parliament; the Honourable Governors, Mayors and Councillors from all 13 Regions; captains of industry; leaders of civic organisations and communities; and esteemed representatives of our international development partners should be commended for their participation and contributions. The National Planning Commission is to be congratulated for organising and steering the Plan preparation to a successful conclusion with the involvement of all major stakeholders.
NDP3 projects an average growth rate of 5 per cent per annum in the gross domestic product (GDP) under the Baseline Growth Scenario with no new policy interventions, and 6.5 per cent per annum under the Higher Growth Scenario with redoubled efforts. These growth rates are higher than the average annual growth rates of 4.7 per cent achieved during NDP2 and the 3.5 per cent recorded during NDP1. A total investment of N$76.3 billion is required from all public, private and international stakeholders over the five-years to achieve the NDP3 targets and realise the baseline average growth rate of 5 per cent per annum. This compares with the actual investment of N$55.3 billion during NDP2, which resulted in an average annual growth rate of 4.7 per cent. In order to achieve the higher average growth rate of 6.5 per cent per annum, a higher investment of about
N$94.6 billion will be required to implement NDP3.
NDP3 is a plan for Our Entire Nation to make progress towards achieving our long-term National Vision. Formulation of the Plan is only the first step. We will realise the benefits only if we implement the Plan effectively. As many of you are aware, private investors – including Namibian and foreign businesspersons with large, medium and small companies, traders, farmers, artisans and ordinary citizens – account for about two-thirds of the total production in our economy. The Government at the national and sub-national levels and the parastatals with the assistance of our international development partners account for the balance. The Government will continue to be an important factor in creating and maintaining favourable economic, social, environmental and political milieu to facilitate the implementation of the Plan and achieving the projected results.