Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE is stepping up efforts to resume full-blown trade with Europe and the Western world and has since moved in to address logistical aspects of the upgraded trade which include more use of Walvis Bay in Namibia to gain access to Atlantic customers.
Speaking after paying a farewell courtesy call on Acting President Constantino Chiwenga at his offices in Harare yesterday, outgoing Namibian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Nicklaas Kandjii said his country is collaborating with Zimbabwe to market its westward-looking Dry Port at Walvis Bay in Namibia.
Zimbabwe enjoyed robust trade relations with the European union (EU) before the imposition of illegal economic sanctions and with the end of these for most practical purposes, upgrading trade ties becomes a lot easier.
So the Second Republic is now actively pursuing a strategy to mend these ties, embracing a policy of a friend to all and an enemy of none.
For instance, the World Bank’s WITS database indicates that in 1995, Zimbabwe imported approximately US$695 million worth of goods from Europe, including substantial quantities of capital goods and machinery. Now the country is aiming for more trade with the bloc.
Ambassador Kandjii also spoke of previous missions they had to promote the Dry Port and the corridors across Botswana and central Namibia.
“I am sure you are aware of the Zimbabwe Dry Port in Walvis Bay and the corridors. We had a trade mission to promote the corridors and Dry Port for export to Western countries,” said Ambassador Kandjii.
The Government is on record as hailing the potential of the Walvis Bay facility to serve as a vital logistics hub for landlocked Zimbabwe.
The Dry Port’s primary responsibility is not just a logistical asset, but an opportunity for Zimbabwe to expand its reach into Western markets and with the right strategies, Zimbabwe can enhance it’s trade profile.
“Namibia and Zimbabwe signed over 30 MOUs and agreements and in 2021. We had a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations and our current President (Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah), who was Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, that elevated the joint permanent commission,” said Ambassador Kandjii.
“Namibia is the next to host the Bi-National Commission and once it is done, it is the way we can now strengthen our bilateral relations.”
He said the meeting also discussed excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.
“We discussed issues of mutual interest, especially the excellent relations between Namibia and Zimbabwe, and also between Zanu PF and the SWAPO party.
“If you recall, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Zimbabwe assisted us in airlifting COVID-19 vaccines. Also, Zimbabwe donated 20 000 doses to Namibia, so this is a manifestation of excellent relations between the two countries,” said Ambassador Kandjii.
