By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
Outgoing Chinese Ambassador Liang Yinzhu has called on the Namibian Government to speedily identify projects that will use the grants and loans pledged by Chinese President Hu Jintao during his visit to Namibia early this year.
Yinzhu says that will help in promoting economic and trade cooperation between the two countries to a broader scope and higher standard.
During his visit to Namibia in February 2007, Jintao pledged approximately N$933 million (RMB 1 billion) of concessional loans and US$100 million preferential export buyers’ credit. He further announced an approximate NS28 million (RMB 30 million) of grants and another N$28 million (RMB 30 million) of interest-free loans.
The Chinese President said China would also offer her assistance in building two rural schools and one hospital for Namibia.
“The main thrust is to strengthen economic cooperation. Economic development is crucial to improving people’s lives,” said the ambassador.
Yinzhu added that there is a need for China and Namibia to earnestly implement the Beijing Declaration and Beijing Action Plan passed during the summit.
To further promote economic growth, he says the bilateral trade structure between the two countries should be improved and cooperation extended.
Trade between the two nations has grown rapidly over the years.
According to the ambassador, in the first seven months of this year, trade volume has already reached about US$ 200 million while in 2003 the trade volume was about US$ 74.57 million for the entire year.
Namibia and China trade in products such as vehicles, machinery, textiles, shoes, computer software and minerals.
Although trade between the two countries seems to be growing, Yinzhu says there is need to expand cooperation in the areas of telecommunication, railway construction, mining, agriculture and tourism.
“Economic development remains crucial and I have tried to work towards that. I hope my successor will continue from where I will leave,” he added.
China’s solidarity and support to Namibia started during the country’s armed struggle for independence.
Among other government projects, over the years, Chinese firms built the Supreme Court, constructed the Wanaheda Police Station and two regional council buildings. Construction of the presidential residence in the new State House complex will commence soon.
Yinzhu says the two countries should also expand their exchanges and cooperation in the areas of education, culture, human resource training and health.
“We should promote people-to-people exchanges in order to learn from each other and achieve common development,” he said.
China has in the past years held training programmes for government officials and technical personnel from Namibia and other African countries.
This is carried out through the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
Last year 62 Namibian officials and personnel received training. Since 2001, China offers five scholarships to Namibian students and the awarding of these scholarships has increased to 21, beginning this year.
The Chinese also intend to build a research centre for the University of Namibia, an institution where the Chinese language was introduced as a course.
“Indeed, China’s training is an all-round effort to help Namibia’s economic development and national building,” said the ambassador.
After spending four years in Namibia and to leave next week Tuesday, Yinzhu described cooperation between Namibia and China as cordial.
Yinzhu has worked in Africa for 18 years as an ambassador. He’s worked in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Namibia.