Namibia and Zambia seek to strengthen bilateral relations in trade

NAMIBIA – Zambia and Namibia seek to strengthen their bilateral cooperation and explore market access opportunities in areas of trade, industry and investments with a recent meeting between the countries’ trade ministers.

Namibian trade minister, Lucia Lipumbu visited Zambia for bilateral consultations with the Zambian delegation led by the minister of commerce, trade and industry, Chipoka Mulenga.

This meeting was instrumental in supporting and collectively driving an enhanced trade relation agenda between Namibia and Zambia with leadership and political resolute.

It was also held to take stock of the progress already made in areas of trade and investment between the two countries.

Over the past years, the countries’ bilateral engagements have yielded tangible results which have mutually benefited both nations as they are both members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The countries have also both signed and ratified the SADC Protocol and SADC Free Trade Area.

According to Elijah Mukubonda, Namibia’s ministry spokesperson, the relationship between the nations allowed Namibia to seek Zambia’s support on a 45,000-tonne sugar quota allocation to SACU non-sugar-producing countries to help combat sugar shortages during certain seasons in the year.

He also said, “Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) are an impediment to trade and, therefore, countries involved will practically facilitate a resolution to improve and eradicate NTBs, and to smoothen trade across the countries.”

The two ministers agreed to expedite the establishment of a one-stop border post at the Katima Mulilo/Wenela exit/entry facility to promote trade and investment growth between the two countries.

They also agreed to enhance collaboration between private sector agencies from both countries to facilitate smooth trade interactions.

Namibia and Zambia agreed to achieve this through improved market access for products that include sugar, salt, fish, livestock, meat and meat products, wheat, maize, mealie meal, bran, soya and soya products, sorghum, mangoes, avocados, honey, tomatoes among other products.

This meeting was one of many initiatives to enhance trade and strengthen cooperation, as well as to promote investment opportunities between the countries.

“Namibia and Zambia are good neighbours politically and good neighbours economically. The ministers undertook to have further trade engagements through the JTIC as well as to implement the undertakings made,” said Elijah Mukubonda.

Minister Mulenga reiterated that there was a need to cement the existing cooperation by engaging in contract production where the two countries would be able to trade based on comparative advantage.

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