STAFF WRITER
European Union Ambassador to Namibia Ana Beatriz Martins says preparations for the second edition of the Namibia-EU Business Forum set for the second week of May are gaining momentum with special targets set on Renewable Hydrogen and Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday she said organisers have worked tirelessly to foster investor confidence, raise visibility of Namibia’s investment opportunities, create momentum for renewable hydrogen and sustainable raw materials value chains.
She said the Namibia- EU Business Forum is a platform that allows a cross pollination of ideas and network between local and European inventors and aims to leverage up to N$380 billion (20 billion EURO) in private investment through the N$23 billion (about 1,3 billion EUR) in loans and grants invested under the Global Gateway.
“ It fills me with a lot of pride to announce that Namibia will host our second Business Forum. We not only live up to our promise from 2023 to hold this second edition of the Namibia-EU Business Forum. Moreover, we show that the EU and Namibia are walking a path towards green industrialization together,” she said.
Beatriz Martins said Namibia can count on the EU for support in fostering Economic Growth, Inclusiveness and Resilience for Sustainable Development, as outlined in the Sixth National Development Plan.\
She said the EU is convinced that bilateral political willingness combined with European investments will positively contribute to diversifying the Namibian economy, natural resource beneficiation and youth empowerment.
Explanation of the five thematic areas of the Namibia-EU Business Forum
“In the European Union, we aim to be the first net-zero continent by 2050. To underline our continued commitment, I have the honour to announce the visit of the EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. Commissioner Roswall champions the EU single market for waste, sustainable products and our European zero-pollution ambition,” she said.
“On Renewable Hydrogen, Namibia offers an optimal business landscape and the EU continues to support Namibia’s emerging leading role in the global hydrogen market. Namibia has a unique historical opportunity to become a leader in the decarbonization of the maritime shipping industry,” she said.
She added that sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains remain a central pillar of the Strategic Partnership, focused on enabling Namibia to move up the value chain by supporting local beneficiation, refining, and industrialization of key minerals such as graphite, lithium, rare earth elements.
She said three more strategic sectors will be considered and covered during the three days of our Business Forum which are Agribusiness as one of the key productive sectors in Namibia and will boost new sources of economic growth, the automotive parts sector presents a promising opportunity for Namibia to establish itself as a continental manufacturing hub and the creative industry where Namibia has numerous talented filmmakers, artists and storytellers who have the power to broaden horizons and strengthen sense of belonging and community.
“The Business Forum is a timely platform to announce the next steps and key milestones in advancing our Strategic Partnership.
Call for participation for Namibian and European investors and business leaders. We invite private companies, investors, financing institutions both from the European Union and Namibia to join us on the 11th -13th May at the Windhoek Country Club,” she said.
Meanwhile Acting Executive Director in the Ministry of International Relations and Trade Asser Nanshikaku said this year’s Forum will be held under the theme: “Towards stronger, greener and more diversified economies: Catalysing business and trade opportunities between the EU and Namibia.
“This Business Forum will mark an important milestone in the deepening of Namibia’s strategic partnership with the European Union, moving towards a concrete cooperation in trade & investment as well as industrial development. It
will also reflect our shared commitment to advancing green industrialisation, strengthening resilient value chains, promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth,” Nashikaku said.
Nashikaku said the forum will serve as a high-level platform to consolidate our diplomatic relations, strengthen trade under the SADC–EU Economic Partnership Agreement and unlock new avenues for investment and private sector collaboration.
COMMENTS