Harare: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Namibia has committed to forging increased trade ties with Zimbabwe as the two countries work on upgrading their ties into a Bi-National Commission (BNC). This was revealed by outgoing Namibian Envoy to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Nicklass Kandjii, when he paid a courtesy call on Acting President, General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga in Harare this Monday. Ambassador Kandjii, who has completed his four-year tour of duty in Harare, reflected on key areas of cooperation, particularly economic transformation, which has seen the establishment of the Walvis Bay Dry Port as a strategic trade facility for Zimbabwe.
“Namibia is set to host the inauguration session of the BNC, and once it’s done, I am sure that is a way we can now strengthen relations. It is another way of strengthening our bilateral relations, it is also sustaining the current standing relationship between our two nations. I am sure you know the Zimbabwe dry port in Walvis Bay and the corridors. In 2021, I remember we had a trade mission to promote the corridors and to promote the dry port for export to the Western countries,” said Ambassador Kandijii.
The Bi-National Commission is expected to act as a catalyst for enhanced economic engagements, creating synergies across key sectors of development. Ambassador Kandjii also highlighted the shared history between the two countries, including cooperation during the liberation struggle and mutual support in recent years.
“We discussed issues of mutual interest, especially the excellent relations between Namibia and Zimbabwe, and I know you know what I am talking about the excellent relations between Namibia and Zimbabwe, also between ZANU and the SWAPO party. So if you recall, during COVID-19, remember that Zimbabwe really assisted us in air-lifting the doses from China to here, and also while Zimbabwe was in the same boat, they donated 20,000 doses to Namibia,” he added. Ambassador Kandjii presented Acting President Chiwenga with a souvenir of the Oryx or Gemsbok, a Namibian national symbol.
