By Desie Heita
Stockholm – ‘Use the Walvis Bay port and you will save a week out of your supply chain,’ a visiting Namibian transport delegation told Swedish companies here yesterday.
The invitation is not only for the Swedish to consider Walvis Bay port as the alternative transportation route into Southern Africa, but to consider trading with Namibia, or with Southern Africa, through Namibia.
Zero corruption and a well functioning transport infrastructure are some of Namibia’s reasons being given to persuade Swedish companies to consider trading with Namibia.
The trade and transport visit to Stockholm is organised by the Swedish Trade Council, and comprises of representatives from freight forwarders and port users associations, Trans- Namib, Walvis Bay Corridor Group and the Namibia Ports Authority.
The Swedish Trade Council described Namibia as “an African success story since its independence from South Africa in 1990” and as “one of Africa’s most stable countries”.
“Using the Walvis Bay port would save you one week out of the supply chain compared to using other ports in the east coast, such as Durban port, for instance,” Johny Smith, Business Development Executive for the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, told the Swedish business people.
Eighty percent of the import and export volumes into Southern Africa is currently being handled through the east coast from which it is distributed to countries of destination.
The Walvis Bay Corridor Group facilitates the maximum utilisation of the Walvis Bay port to access land-locked neighbouring countries, through the Trans-Kalahari Highway, Trans Kunene Highway and Trans Caprivi Highway.
Cargo volumes along the Trans Caprivi Highway have already grown from a mere 200 tonnes per annum in 2005 to the current 4?