By August 2024, Namibia and China’s bilateral trade stood at N$19 billion (US$1.1 billion), Chinese ambassador to Namibia, Zhao Weiping has said.

Speaking at a press conference last Thursday, he said uranium accounts for most of the trade.

He stated that China’s partnership action is to import more from African countries, noting that China already imports Namibian beef, and recently agreed to import lamb.

Other products currently under discussion for import include grapes, crab and other aquatic products.

“There is no political problem for us to import these products from Namibia. It is only technical issues involved… As soon as our relevant government agencies solve those technical procedures, it is very likely that we can reach an agreement to trade those products in future. We have all the willingness and readiness to
import more from Namibia,” he said.

He noted that during the
Beijing summit held from 4 to 6 September 2024, at a meeting between China President Xi Jinping and Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba, China announced a pledge of N$50 million towards food assistance, amidst the persistent drought in Namibia.

At the same meeting, he said China decided to provide Namibia with a new grant of N$500 million for future projects.

“Looking to the future, I am very confident in the even greater development of China and Namibia relations. In particular, we will see big expansion in our practical cooperation, which will take place in extensive sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, education, information
technology, mineral resources and new energy,” the ambassador said.

-Nampa