Namibia’s minister of international relations this week led a business delegation to Angola in an effort to accelerate and strengthen commercial ties after mutual borders swung open last week.
The borders were closed to curb the spread of Covid-19.
The two countries have signed several agreements, on trade and economic cooperation as well as investment promotion, which seek to create a conducive environment for business to thrive in both countries.
“We need to prioritise these agreements as they will go a long way in promoting increased two-way trade and investment. It is a fact that an agreement without implementation is just as good as no agreement,” she said.
“We, therefore, call on those responsible to ensure full implementation of those instruments. As good neighbours, we cannot think only in terms of export and import, we should also look at integrating our value and supply chains to derive mutual benefit for our two countries.”
She made these remarks on Tuesday during the trade and investment mission to Angola in Luanda, to where a Namibian delegation of 40 business people accompanied the minister.
“This is a trade and investment mission of opportunity and promise. It brings together businesses that have the potential to drive the recovery of our two economies and will help shape the growth and development of Namibia and Angola in the years to come,” she stated.
The minister is hopeful that the private sectors of both countries capitalise on the opportunity, deepen cooperation, and further promote the strategic partnership between the two countries and people.
She said the mission also aims to empower businesspeople from both countries, to enable them to make a meaningful contribution to the growth of the two economies for sustainable development to be realised.