Windhoek: The establishment of a Joint Economic Commission remains the primary objective for formalising trade and investment links between Namibia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, has said. The minister was speaking during a courtesy call by a business delegation from the UAE, focused on how the two nations can collaborate on infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the UAE's Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, led the visiting delegation, which included captains of industry and investment officials. Ashipala-Musavyi highlighted Namibia's role in providing neighbouring landlocked countries direct access to the sea through dry port facilities, significantly increasing the usage of Walvis Bay Port and establishing Namibia as a logistic hub. She also noted that the automation of the container terminal at Walvis Bay has improved cargo handling times.
The minister emphasized the need for technical partnerships in aviation and transport corridors to facilitate regional trade, suggesting that Namibia and the UAE could seek strong ties or collaboration in infrastructure development, such as ports, aviation, and logistics.
Jessica Hauuanga, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, identified the agricultural sector as a specific area for immediate commercial expansion. She pointed out that with one of Namibia's leading beef producers having secured Halaal certification recently, the country is strategically positioned to introduce its premium beef into the UAE market. This certification creates a direct pathway for Namibian producers to supply importers, distributors, and retail partners in the UAE.
While Namibia is rich in natural resources, Hauuanga mentioned that the country seeks investors whose values align with national ambitions to grow the domestic economy. Talks also addressed the energy sector, where Namibia is currently pursuing offshore and onshore oil and gas exploration alongside green hydrogen projects in Lderitz.
Minister Ashipala-Musavyi invited the UAE to explore investment in Namibia's diamond cutting and polishing industry and to form joint ventures to increase value addition before exports. She stated that these initiatives align with the developmental priorities of the eighth administration, including youth empowerment and the expansion of the creative industry.