Namibia trade mission heads for Zim

Harare, (New Ziana) – A Namibian trade mission is headed for Zimbabwe as the two countries seek to explore and deepen economic cooperation targeting increased use of Walvis Bay and the Zimbabwe Dry Port for imports and exports by local companies.

The mission, led by the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) and the Namibia Ports Authority, will be in the country from June 18 to July2.

“The main aim of the trade mission is to engage the Zimbabwean business community, industries, economic sectors such as mining, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing to explore the opportunities
and viability of using the Walvis Bay Port and the Zimbabwe Dry Port Facility for exports and imports to and from Zimbabwe,” the WBCG said in a statement.

“The synergies and collaboration are aimed at promoting social, economic progress and enhancing deeper regional and continental integration.”

The WBCG is a public private partnership established in the year 2000 as a service and facilitation centre to promote the benefits of using the Walvis Bay corridors through the Port of Walvis Bay to and from Southern Africa.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa commissioned Zimbabwe’s first ever external dry port at Walvis Bay in 2019.

The dry port, being managed by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, is on an 18 382 square metre piece of land on the Atlantic coast donated to Zimbabwe by the Namibian government
over 10 years ago.

It provides an alternative trade route for local imports and exports.

The Namibian trade mission comes on the heels of a recent visit to the Zimbabwe Dry Port Facility in Namibia by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona which was aimed at understanding the facility and discussing issues of mutual interest between the two countries.

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Namibia, Rofina Chikava lauded the visit as key in promoting trade relations between the two countries.

“The expansion of the Walvis Bay Port and the operations of the Zimbabwe Dry Port in Walvis Bay, requires that we identify sectors that can use the two strategic assets, Walvis Bay Port and Zimbabwe
Dry Port to import and export at a comparative advantage,” she said.

Namibia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Nicklaas Kandjii said “the envisaged roadshow will go a long way in enhancing and strengthening trade relations between the two countries, and the region at large. I am therefore confident that the roadshow will also promote Namibia as Southern Africa’s – preferred logistics hub and the Port of Walvis Bay as a viable alternative and convenient transport route, along the identified transport corridors.”
New Ziana