French Hauts-de-France, the northernmost region of France has entered into a partnership with the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) to see the establishment of a land-sea corridor aimed at connecting the two ports for mutual economic benefits.
The envisioned corridor is aimed at connecting the two countries’ coastal towns – Walvis Bay and Dunkerque ports in an effort to boost trade and logistics passage between Namibia and France.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to President Hage Geingob here on Tuesday, Vice President of the Hauts-de-France region, François Decoster said both coastal towns aim to become transhipment harbours that will have the potential to serve both Namibia and France’s neighbouring countries, especially landlocked states, hence the mutual interests to establish a corridor.
Decoster said the partnership further seeks to strengthen cooperation on the expertise and transformation of the fishing industry, saying France has one of the best sustainable and renewable fishing sectors in Europe.
He further highlighted other areas of mutual interest in the agricultural sector, where a French company is producing potatoes in the southern part of Namibia, noting that the company has conducted studies to produce potatoes under the country’s dry- and arid-weather conditions to secure local food security given current climate changes.
Decoster added that the French are equally interested in investing in the envisioned renewable green hydrogen project.
“The partnership between the two ports is highly supported by the French government. We have strong cooperation on mutual benefits which is further demonstrated in the partnership,” the French representative noted.
President Geingob said Namibia welcomes partnerships and investors, especially in the areas of expertise that the country needs for social and economic stability, noting that the country demonstrates democracy, and good governance through processes, systems and institutions.
“Namibia is open to business, it is a democracy… struggling, we are a new democracy but freedom of movement and expression are guaranteed, therefore, equally foreign investors are welcomed. COVID-19 crisis has made us realise that we are on this earth together, there are no small, big, rich and poor countries, and we have to hold hands,” he noted.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
