The year 2009 folds as yet another successful year for the provincial trade and investment promotion agency Invest North West (INW). As the official agency mandated by the North West Provincial Government to promote and facilitate trade and investment into the North West Province with the view of creating employment for citizens of the province, INW has registered impressive success.

The 1^st quarter of 2009, represented the end of the financial year 2008/2009, which folds with 1200 jobs under INW’s belt, surpassing the set target of 1000 new jobs by 25%. Trade exports from the province also grew by 29% with the majority contributor being the Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality region.

This has been an exceptionally challenging year for the organisation, with country official going into recession in the 2^nd quarter of 2009 coupled with the unfortunate departure of our former CEO, Gaba Tabane in the 3^rd quarter. INW has experienced 3 successive quarters of macro and micro environmental instability.

“Albeit all the challenges we are proud to have reached the milestones that we have reached and are humbled by the recognition we constantly get from our peers in the economic development spheres.”  Said Floyd Leeuw, Acting CEO.

At the recent PMR.africa North West Leadership and Management Awards, Invest North West received a Golden Arrow Award for its contribution to the Economic Development of the North West Province. PMR.africa awards represent competitiveness, effectiveness, excellence, leadership, resilience and indicate customer service and customer satisfaction. The purpose of the awards is also to enhance excellence in industry and to set a bench mark in industry.

“To us this award represents a great team and unparalleled work ethic displayed by the committed employees of Invest North West. No great success happens in isolation but is a result of excellence in team effort”, Leeuw added.

As a measure of that INW excellence was also recognized and awarded with a bronze award by Botswana Economic Development and Investment Agency (BEDIA) for best indoor stand during the Annual Botswana Global Expo.

The economic environment has caused us to really look at operations and strategies at a new angle. We have a couple of projects in our pipeline and are moving in fast in concluding them for funding so we can start operations soon. Our target employment for this financial year is 1100 jobs” concluded Leeuw.

Invest North West also received an unqualified audit report for the financial year 2008/2009 which is testimony to good corporate governance and accountability as prescribed by the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).