by Adam Hartman

THE Arandis Town Council unveiled plans to create a multibillion-dollar logistics hub during the launch of its five-year strategic plan last month.

The Arandis Logistics Hub will connect Arandis to all land-locked countries and will serve as an extension of the port of Walvis Bay.

Surveying of the area is set to be completed by the end of this month. Limited details of the strategic plan show that the project is valued at about N$5,1 billion and “promises large-scale employment opportunities”.

Another independent project, which is intricately linked to the planned hub, is the soon to be constructed Arandis truck port.

According to the council communications officer, Irene Jacobs, the ground breaking ceremony for this project is planned for the end of September.

“The project brings an estimated investment of N$10 million to Arandis and various other employment opportunities,” said Jacobs.

Deputy minister of urban and rural development Derek Klazen said at the recent launch of the plan, Arandis was strategically situated in terms of its proximity to the port of Walvis Bay, the coastal towns of Swakopmund, and was linked to the railway, Trans-Kalahari Corridor and an airport nearby.

The town is also situated outside the 'rustbelt' (due to the coastal mist), making it ideal for manufacturing plants, warehousing and many other industries. Part of the logistics hub will include a container terminal, specifically because the town is outside the rustbelt.

“Arandis is a basket of opportunities and investors are encouraged to come and invest in the town,” said Klazen.

– Adam Hartman, The Namibian newspaper journalist (Erongo bureau)

081 250 5966 Fax: 064-463756

SOURCE: The Namibian

https://www.namibian.com.na/83533/read/Arandis-unveils-ambitious-logistics-hub-plan