By Anna Shilongo
WINDHOEK
A two-week training programme on protocol for the National Planning Commission (NPC) secretariat staff is currently under way in the capital.
The Egyptian government made possible the training that would allow the NPC to provide appropriate information on protocol to relevant stakeholders, and to integrate the correct use of protocol into their work activities.
The course is being facilitated by Mohamed El Dorgamy from the government of Egypt.
El Dorgamy holds a PhD in political science from the Western University in the USA.
He has also served as an ambassador at several Egyptian embassies in countries such as Iraq, Ecuador, Mauritius, Japan, Greece, Turkey, Mexico and Sweden.
This is not the first time that El Dorgamy is facilitating a training programme in Namibia – in 2007 he also facilitated a similar course organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The training was subsequently rated as successful and highly beneficial to the country.
Speaking at the start of the training, the Ambassador of Egypt to Namibia, Mohamed Hedi Moustafa El Tonsi, was hopeful the training would not only be instrumental in enhancing the capacity of the NPC staff, but would further reinforce a broad and firm basis for closer relations between the two countries.
“The bilateral relations between Egypt and Namibia dates back before the independence of Namibia, and since the signing of the technical cooperation agreement in 2005, cooperation between our two countries has certainly excelled in terms of technical assistance,” he said.
He was hopeful that the relations between the two countries would grow from strength to strength.
Over the years, Egyptian experts in various social and economic development fields were sent to Namibia, while more than a hundred students were also sent to study in Egypt in various fields.
Speaking at the same occasion, Permanent Secretary in the NPC Mocks Shivute was of the opinion that the training would allow the NPC staff to integrate the correct use of protocol in their work activities.
This will enable them to meet the objectives and to provide appropriate information on protocol to relevant stakeholders, said Shivute.
“Most importantly, the course will encourage the delivery of quality services and the maintenance of professionalism in international relations,” he stressed.
One of the key objectives of the NPC secretariat is to coordinate and direct national efforts on external resources’ mobilisation in order to supplement available national resources and to promote sustainable socio-economic development.
The NPC therefore serves as a focal point and a facilitator between external funding agencies and the Namibian Government.