Luanda:Namibia and Angola are working to enhance bilateral trade and investment, expedite crucial infrastructure projects, and improve the execution of existing cooperation agreements through the inaugural session of their Bi-National Commission (BNC).

According to Namibia Press Agency, Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi emphasized the need to translate the historical ties between the two nations into tangible economic benefits. She noted that trade between Namibia and Angola has declined and must be urgently revived, highlighting the geographical proximity and existing people-to-people exchanges as opportunities for increased trade and investment.

Key projects discussed include the Baynes Hydropower Station, a One-Stop Border Post at the Oshikango-Santa Clara border crossing, the Angola-Namibia Interconnector Project, and the extensions of the railway line from Oshikango into Angola and the Cafu Canal water infrastructure into Namibia. Ashipala-Musavyi believes these initiatives could address socioeconomic challenges in both countries once implemented.

The Angola-Namibia Business Forum, scheduled to coincide with the presidential segment of the BNC, is seen as a vital opportunity for businesses to network and identify prospects for boosting bilateral trade. This forum aims to foster engagement and collaboration among the business communities of both countries.

Ashipala-Musavyi described Namibia and Angola as strategic neighbors within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU), emphasizing the potential contributions of their discussions to Africa's broader development goals. Namibia approaches these talks with a spirit of camaraderie, focusing on good neighborliness and mutual benefit.

The inaugural BNC session is being held in conjunction with the state visit of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to Angola.