The //Karas region offers a wide array of investment opportunities in a number of sectors, a new report on the region states.The region currently stands ready to receive investments in the agriculture sector totalling almost N$900 million, an economic profile on the town of Keetmanshoop and the region, by First Capital, noted.“There are a myriad of opportunities in the region that can bring a return on investments. These opportunities are predominantly in the energy, manufacturing, and agricultural sector,” the report stated.Investments earmarked for the town and greater //Karas region include opportunities in agriculture, renewable energy, public services in the health and education sectors, housing, land servicing, water provision, public asset maintenance and transport and logistics, among other sectors.PossibilitiesAgriculture projects, although insignificant in value to other potential investment opportunities, including the government’s green hydrogen project, dominate a list of opportunities listed by the fund manager.“The Tandjieskoppe green scheme business consists of 960 hectares of virgin land. The crops that were used to calculate the water demand and types of irrigation systems were date palms, table grapes and various cash crops, including vegetables and aromatic plants,” First Capital wrote.The project is on hold currently.Another investment opportunity is the development of a cattle feedlot in the region, at about N$149 million.“The agricultural sector is central to the lives of most of Namibia’s population. Directly or indirectly, it supports over 70% of the population. However, the sector’s contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is marginal, relative to the contribution by sectors such as mining and retail trade. Among many factors contributing to this is the lack of value addition in the sector and the over reliance on external markets,” the report’s authors wrote.Create newAnother opportunity noted was the potential to farm karakul sheep on large scale in the Karasburg area, First Capital said.“Karakul sheep is farmed on a large scale. New industries – mainly milk processing, meat processing and clothing – could be created. The municipality has 88 camps each between four to five hectares available for rent to investors or farmers at N$2 per square metre.“Camps located along the Karasburg road can benefit from water points installed along the road. In addition, the municipality availed 50 hectares of land for urban agricultural projects,” the report highlighted.