Minister launches TelePassport

Director of Ceremonies, Distinguished invited guests, Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am indeed delighted to be here with you today at the launching of TelePassport Namibia. It is, therefore, fitting and appropriate that I should first congratulate the organizers for facilitating and hosting this important event.

Effective communication is a core competence that gives organizations a competitive advantage over their peers in the dynamic global economy in the 21st century. It involves building up knowledge domain and creating intellectual property. It also requires the sharing of information within the organization and the harnessing of this collective knowledge to bring the performance and achievement of that organization forward. Effective knowledge management enables organizations to leverage on their internal knowledge base to conceive new concepts and ideas.

As we all well know, telecommunications is the backbone of our industry and government. It is the wheels that keep the commerce machine on the move, allowing us to compete in the global marketplace. It is also the vehicle through which we uplift and empower the nation. With the modern-day global village getting smaller and technology getting smarter the race is on for faster and more efficient telecoms technology.

The technology we are launching today, the Least Cost Routing is described as the eco-friendly car in the world of telecoms automobiles, focusing on fuel efficiency, value-for-money, and hassle-free maintenance.

Since the early nineties, Least Cost Routing has apparently been standard practice in many parts of the world. It offers customers the advantage of lower telephone bills by routing fixed-line to cellphone calls directly to the local GSM cellular network. I understand that if I make a call through the switchboard to a cellphone number, the call is re-routed to a mobile-to-mobile call, reducing the the cost of the call as cellphone to cellphone calls are cheaper than fixed-line to mobile calls.

I am informed that in this manner savings of up to 30% on a monthly telephone bill can be achieved. And as most of us here tonight are business or government leaders, we know that these savings ultimately translate into a leaner bottom line. With the launch of TelePassport Namibia, I was reliably informed, that this cutting-edge telecoms technology will now also be available to Namibians. This will allow our local business and even government to share in the cost-saving advantages of the latest in business telecoms solutions.

I have to note that third-party telecommunications developments and value-added products, such as Least Cost Routing, are huge globally, creating jobs and fueling economic progress. As in the case of most industries, competition can only help the consumer and promote development and growth of new technologies and services, such as this. I am confident that this will also be the case in Namibia. I am told that the way in which TelePassport is introduced to Namibia, is done in a transparent and co-operative manner. Leading telecoms service providers like MTC, Bytes Technologies, Siemens and Telkom-Ericsson have endorsed the services of TelePassport to offer Namibian customers the advantage of reduced telephone bills - a gesture that needs to be applauded.

I am glad to note that TelePassport is a truly Namibian entity, fully BEE compliant with a majority local shareholding. Furthermore, I have been informed that a transfer of experience and expertise in the Least Cost Routing market have already started, and that a hand-picked team of competent Namibians are tasked with establishing a home-grown company with the aim of building and maintaining a loyal customer base through service beyond expectation. I would like to extend my best wishes to them in achieving this.

This memorable occasion as witnessed by all present here today is testimony to the fact that Namibia's economic environment presents fertile soil for new enterprises. This new telecoms enterprise also means Namibia is not left behind when it comes to the latest customer premise, communications technology, which is essential for our country to remain competitive in a global business arena.

The government of the Republic of Namibia has made progress in the pursuit of market friendly policies to achieve it's development objectives. It's policy at the outset is one of establishing a prudent macro-economic and financial policy framework that would encourage rapid and sustainable development which would be just and equitable to all. In the realization of this policy, this government has implemented radical changes within the economic system and in it's methods of operation. The policy framework is based upon a commitment to the pursuit of market-friendly policies, whereby the private sector becomes the principal engine of economic growth. We intend, perusing more aggressively than in the past, ways and means of encouraging the private sector to dedicate itself to the task of delivering rapid development. Investment incentives for both domestic and foreign investors have been introduced in the past. It follows that the State will have an important role to play in strengthening and supplementing the market mechanisms in areas where markets are not adequately addressing the needs. These relate principally to the general area of human resource development, primary education, science and technology, basic health care, environmental protection, infrastructure development and poverty alleviation.

The Government of Namibia welcomes and encourages healthy and fair competition. With this in mind it created an enabling environment through policy and legislation for companies to compete. The consumers want value for their money and the best product at the most affordable price.

With these few words I would like to wish TelePassport Namibia and it's partners all the best in their future endeavors. I thank you