XIEMEN, CHINA: Over 30 Namibian small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) arrived here on Friday for the four-day 16th China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) 2012.
The delegation is led by Deputy Minister Trade and Industry Minister Tjekero Tweya.
The fair is scheduled to start on Saturday, and end on Tuesday next week.
It takes place under the theme ‘Introducing FDI (foreign direct investment) and going Global’, and will focus on investment and trade exhibitions, an international investment forum and project promotions and policy briefings.
The event will also provide participants with comprehensive services for bilateral investment cooperation.
The Deputy Director of Investment Promotion in Namibia, Dolly Kandume told Nampa on Wednesday before the delegation’s departure from Windhoek that during the fair, the Namibian Government will promote its trade and investment opportunities to potential Chinese investors, and participating Namibian businesses will also have an opportunity to promote their businesses and projects.
Kandume said a series of matchmaking seminars arranged by the Chinese Government will allow Namibian businesspersons to engage with their counterparts on a one-on-one basis.
Namibia also participated in the CIFIT event last year, and greatly benefitted through interaction with business personalities from around the world, especially from the People’s Republic of China.
“Our participation in the CIFIT 2011 presented us with an opportunity to further promote and market Namibia as the ideal investment destination for investors,” Kandume said.
She added that the opportunity to participate in this event will enable Namibians to pursue their objectives to further strengthen economic relations with China, and build on the established networks.
Kandume described China as a renowned international trade and investment hub, which can help promote capital and technology needed for the purposes of adding value to Namibia’s natural resources.
“We believe that through increased cooperation between Namibia and China, we can establish a win-win partnership which will enable the Chinese businesses to access investment opportunities that Namibia offers international investors,” she enthused.
The CIFIT is currently one of China’s main international investment promotion events, aimed at facilitating bilateral investment.
It is also the largest global investment event approved by the Global Association of Exhibition Industry.