Prosper Ndlovu [email protected]
ZIMBABWE is stepping up efforts to expand its export footprint in Namibia, with ZimTrade taking local businesses directly to potential buyers, distributors and strategic partners in a three-day trade mission aimed at generating concrete commercial deals and opening new market opportunities.
The outward trade mission, scheduled for October 7 to 9 in Windhoek, comes as the country intensifies efforts to drive economic growth through exports, value addition and increased penetration of regional and international markets in pursuit of the Vision 2030 goal of an upper middle-income society.
Vision 2030 identifies sustained value addition and export-led growth as key to building an open, efficient and competitive economy, while the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) prioritises improved market access, export promotion and the expansion of value-added products into foreign markets.
The Namibia mission provides a practical platform for Zimbabwean companies to translate that policy thrust into business opportunities by engaging potential buyers and partners in one of the country’s neighbouring markets.
ZimTrade, the country’s national trade development and promotion organisation, is undertaking the mission in collaboration with the Embassy of Zimbabwe in Namibia, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).
According to ZimTrade, a Business Forum will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn bringing together Zimbabwean and Namibian businesses, industry experts, development cooperation agencies and other stakeholders to explore market access and commercial partnerships.
Participating sectors include agriculture, alcoholic beverages, educational services, engineering services, fast-moving consumer goods, stock feeds, horticulture and logistics.
The engagements are expected to provide Zimbabwean companies with opportunities to identify buyers, distributors and strategic partners while gaining a better understanding of Namibia’s market requirements, distribution channels, regulations and priority sectors.
The approach is consistent with Government’s current development strategy, which calls for stronger trade promotion, identification of countries with potential markets for Zimbabwean products and support for exporters seeking to penetrate new foreign markets.NDS2 also places emphasis on promoting value-added exports and leveraging regional and continental trade arrangements to expand international trade.
For ZimTrade, the mission builds on sustained engagement with the Namibian market, including participation in the Windhoek Agricultural and Commercial Show over the past three years.
This year’s dedicated Zimbabwe-focused business event is intended to move that engagement a step further by creating direct commercial linkages between companies from the two countries.
Speaking ahead of the anticipated outcomes of the three-day mission, Zimbabwean Ambassador to Namibia, Amb Melody Chaurura, highlighted the importance of strengthening commercial ties between the two countries.
“The mission will provide an important platform for Zimbabwean and Namibian businesses to move beyond dialogue and identify practical areas of cooperation. By bringing businesses together, we hope to create stronger commercial linkages, expand market access and encourage partnerships that can contribute to increased trade and investment between our two countries,” she said.
ZimTrade southern region manager, Mrs Jacqueline Nyathi, who is already in Namibia, said the mission was focused on creating practical opportunities for companies to expand beyond the domestic market.
“Our objective is to give Zimbabwean businesses a better understanding of the Namibian market while creating direct opportunities to engage with potential buyers, distributors and business partners,” she said.
“Through these engagements, we hope to generate tangible leads and partnerships that can support the growth and regional expansion of Zimbabwean and Namibian companies for greater growth.”
The push comes against the broader need for Zimbabwean companies to diversify export destinations and increase the contribution of value-added goods and services to national export earnings.
Exports are central to Zimbabwe’s economic development agenda given their contribution to foreign currency generation, employment creation, investment and innovation.
Hence ZimTrade’s export-promotion model includes trade missions, buyer-seller meetings and business matchmaking aimed at turning international engagements into actual business.
Namibia also offers Zimbabwean businesses an established regional platform through existing bilateral and SADC trade arrangements, while the country’s strategic location and access to the Walvis Bay corridor provide opportunities for regional and international trade.
Commenting on the mission, Mr Peter Shivute, executive: MSME Development and Export Promotion at the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), emphasised the importance of initiatives that create opportunities for businesses from both countries to connect and explore areas of mutual interest.
“Trade missions such as this create valuable opportunities for businesses to understand each other’s markets, identify areas of demand and establish commercial relationships. From Namibia’s perspective, engagements of this nature also contribute to broadening the range of products, services and investment opportunities available in our market while strengthening regional trade relations,” he said.
Chief executive officer of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), Mr Titus Nampala, said the engagements could help strengthen private-sector networks between the two countries.
“Initiatives such as this create opportunities for Namibian businesses to connect with new suppliers, explore new markets and identify potential areas for collaboration. These engagements can contribute to business growth, strengthen commercial networks and create opportunities for increased trade between Namibia and Zimbabwe.
“For NCCI, facilitating these connections is important in supporting a more connected and active private sector,” he added.
Hopes are high that this week’s mission would give participating companies first-hand exposure to Namibian buyers while enabling them to assess demand, understand regulatory requirements and identify areas where Zimbabwean goods and services can compete.
Beyond individual business opportunities, the initiative reinforces Zimbabwe’s broader push to deepen regional economic integration, increase exports and position locally produced goods and services in wider African markets.
As Zimbabwe pursues Vision 2030, stronger export performance and greater participation in regional value chains remain important components of the drive to transform production into sustainable economic growth.
