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Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe can now trade and open new markets in West Africa, Europe, America, and beyond following the establishment of the Zimbabwe Dry Port at Walvis Bay in Namibia.
The Zimbabwe Dry Port which was commissioned by President Mnangagwa in 2019 is under the management of the National Handling Services (NHS) (Private) Limited of our great country, Zimbabwe.
Officiating at the fifth anniversary celebrations Zimbabwean ambassador to Namibia Melody Chaurura said the Zimbabwe Dry Port stood as a testament to the strong and enduring solidarity, friendship, and partnership between the two countries and reflecting shared commitment to enhancing trade facilitation, regional connectivity, and prosperity for the people.
“The special relationship between Zimbabwe and Namibia is a relationship rooted in shared values and a commitment to achieving freedom, justice, development, and prosperity for all.
“This relationship dates back to the liberation struggle when comrades from the two revolutionary sides worked closely together to deliver the independence and freedom that we enjoy today,” she said.
Ambassador Chaurura said cooperation between Zimbabwe and Namibia remained dynamic, not only at the government-to-government levels but also at levels, including people-to-people connections.
“It is particularly pleasing that relations between our two countries were elevated to a Bi-National Commission in 2021, creating scope to further deepen and broaden the multi-pronged opportunities for greater cooperation towards the achievement of mutually desired development and prosperity.
“Since the commissioning of the Dry Port by His Excellency, President E.D. Mnangagwa, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe on July 26, 2019, the facility has continued to provide storage and handling services for Zimbabwe’s imports and exports to and from the Western Hemisphere, significantly boosting trade and economic development in the country and SADC region,” she said.
She said Zimbabwe had been experiencing challenges accessing markets and trade with countries in West Africa, Europe, and North and South America due to a myriad of logistical challenges, among them, high costs of transportation, congestion and delays in the movement of both inbound and outbound cargo.
“The dry port, therefore, presented a canvas of opportunities for Zimbabwean exporters and importers across the SADC region by facilitating smoother and faster movement of goods, thereby promoting inter-African trade in line with the African (Continental) Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 on Trade Facilitation,” she said.
Ambassador Chaurura commended the unwavering support rendered by various stakeholders, chief among them the Namibian Ports (NamPort) Authorities.
She said efforts were underway to ensure the Dry Port was fully capacitated through various strategies, among them creating transformative public-private partnerships.
Online Reporter