Staff Reporter
Finland president, Sauli Niinistö will be on a state visit to Namibia from Thursday to Friday, after concluding a similar exercise in South Africa the previous day.
His first stop will be South Africa today, with a meeting with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria. Two days later, Niinistö will meet President Hage Geingob. Niinistö’s programme includes a wreath-laying ceremony at Heroes´ Acre.
The next day, Niinistö will meet Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi and participate in a business seminar in Windhoek. Finland is among Namibia’s top 20 trading partners. The last state visit by a Finnish president was in 2011 by former president Tarja Halonen.
“Namibia and Finland share a history that goes back over 150 years. The historical ties between Namibia and Finland have continued to evolve over time, and the two countries are committed to developing and strengthening their partnership and relations further,” presidential spokesperson, Alfredo Hengari said in a statement on Sunday.
Last year, Namibia’s overall exports to the Finnish market totalled N$1.8 billion, from the N$785 million recorded in 2021.
On the other hand, Namibia’s imports from Finland increased to N$1.1 billion in 2022 from N$389 million recorded in 2021.
“The purpose of this visit is to discuss how Namibia and Finland can work together to leverage smart, secure and sustainable solutions in an effort to promote a green transition and the 4th Industrial Revolution, as well as to enhance the bilateral trade between Namibia and Finland.
“The specific outcomes envisaged are, strengthening of business partnerships between the two countries to promote trade and investment in key sectors; identify sectors that hold the most potential to create jobs and stimulate economic growth in Namibia and; generate export potential for Namibian-Finnish goods and services into Finland,” Hengari added.
The two statesmen will discuss the global political situation, challenges and the bilateral relations between Finland and Namibia.
“Finland funded various programmes on sustainable water management within the context of SADC cooperation. The visit is part of Finland’s engagement with Africa and is part of its strategic goal of growing connections with Africa, which includes extending its diplomatic presence, supporting the African Agenda, and boosting commercial links.
“During the visit, Namibia will engage Finland within the framework of bilateral cooperation and the Africa Strategy of Finland,” Hengari stated.