STAFF WRITER
China has called on Namibia to take full advantage of its zero tariff policy for African countries by increasing exports to the Chinese market and reducing the cost of doing business.
The call comes after a week-long working visit to China by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, where Namibia and China committed to strengthening economic cooperation, expanding trade and attracting investment.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah and Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a joint communique following their engagements, committing to align China’s zero tariff policy with Namibia’s efforts to expand exports, attract investment and create jobs.
Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded her working visit to China on Saturday.
China introduced its zero tariff policy late last year to provide African countries with easier access for their goods into the Chinese market. The policy applies to the majority of African countries and is aimed at improving trade relations between China and Africa.
According to the joint communique, China welcomed Namibia’s efforts to make use of the zero tariff policy and “green lanes” created for African agricultural products to increase the variety and volume of exports to China.
“The two sides expressed their readiness to build smart customs cooperation partnership and strengthen cooperation on animal and plant diseases prevention and control, food safety regulation, inspection and quarantine under the framework of import and export food safety cooperation mechanism for the countries of the Belt and Road Initiative,” the communique stated.
The two countries also agreed to align their economic and trade needs by entering into a framework agreement on economic partnership for shared development.
The agreement is expected to support progress in negotiations and provide a long-term and predictable framework for trade and investment cooperation between Namibia and China.
Minerals, logistics and value addition
Namibia and China recognised the strategic importance of critical minerals in driving global economic transformation.
The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in sustainable development, local processing, beneficiation and value addition of Namibia’s mineral resources, including uranium, lithium, rare earth elements and other strategic minerals.
Both sides committed to promoting partnerships that encourage technology transfer, local skills development and industrial capacity building.
The countries also identified logistics, maritime transport and trade facilitation as important areas for cooperation.
“The two sides will explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation in logistics, maritime transport and trade facilitation, including through the development of the Port of Walvis Bay as an important gateway connecting Southern Africa to regional and global markets,” the communique said.
Namibia and China also expressed appreciation for the role played by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in supporting Namibia’s development cooperation.
The BRI is China’s state-backed global infrastructure and economic development strategy launched by President Xi Jinping in 2013. It focuses on expanding infrastructure and economic links across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America through investments in areas such as transport, energy and digital development.
The two countries committed to using their respective strengths to expand cooperation in several sectors, including oil and gas, energy, green energy, renewable energy technologies, battery value chains, energy storage systems, mining, raw material beneficiation, agriculture, science and technology, education, tourism, infrastructure and human resources.
“China welcomes Namibia’s participation in the International Economic and Trade Cooperation Initiative on Green Mining and Minerals, and the Initiative on International Trade and Economic Cooperation Framework for Digital Economy and Green Development,” the communique stated.
More Chinese investment expected
China has also encouraged more capable Chinese companies to invest and operate in Namibia while supporting the country’s industrialisation efforts.
The two countries agreed that companies operating in Namibia should increase local procurement, create more employment opportunities for Namibian citizens and contribute to skills transfer and human resource development.
Both sides committed to creating a stable, fair and secure business environment for businesses from both countries.
The communique further highlighted future cooperation in digital transformation, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, smart infrastructure, telecommunications and innovation ecosystems.
The countries said these areas would support Namibia’s transition towards a knowledge-based economy.
The visit comes as Namibia seeks to expand its export markets and attract more investment to support economic growth.
Through the strengthened partnership, China and Namibia said they intend to deepen cooperation under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which they described as playing a guiding role in advancing cooperation between China and Africa.
The two countries said they remain committed to building stronger economic ties that create opportunities for trade, investment and development.
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