WINDHOEK – Namibia and Angola have initiated discussions to ensure the efficient cross-border movement of goods between the two countries, with the creation of a one-stop border post as one of the possible solutions on the cards.
“Some of the challenges with the cross-border movement of goods specifically at the Oshikango border post (in Namibia) and the Santa Clara border post (in Angola) need to be addressed to facilitate the smooth movement of goods,” said Minister of Trade and Industry, Calle Schlettwein, after a recent visit to Angola. Schlettwein added that upon identifying the challenges at border posts the long-term solution would be the creation of one-stop border posts where trade, import and export clearances are dealt with by one official.
While in Angola, the Namibian trade minister met with Angola’s Minister of Industry, Bernada Martins, and that country’s Minister of Commerce, Rosa de Matos.
“The parties agreed for the need to strive to support industrialisation by increasing trade between the two countries. Namibia therefore welcomes increased exports from Angola and would equally wish to expand its exports to Angola,” said Schlettwein.
While admitting that trade volumes between the two countries are relatively low, Schettwein said the higher volumes of goods entering Angola through Namibia are actually goods in transit, coming mostly from South Africa. However, he was adamant that Namibia needs to ensure that its goods also reach Angolan shelves but cautioned that Namibia needs to increase its industrial capacity to cater for the growing Angolan, regional and eventually global markets.
Namibian products that are currently available in the Angolan market include beef, mutton, venison, processed meat and fish while services exported to Angola are in the spheres of health, construction, tourism, agriculture, veterinary services and transport. On the reverse side Angolan products being exported to Namibia include grain, fruit, vegetables and will soon include sugar.
Schlettwein added that Angola could potentially export energy and water to Namibia as well but noted that these industries need to be strengthened before any agreements can be signed.
“Both Namibia and Angola are at the bottom of the value chain, meaning they are exporting raw materials and importing more finished goods. We believe that the two countries can create bi-lateral value chains with the focus of producing finished goods to trade in the region and throughout the world,” concluded Schlettwein.