The Zambezi Region is a strategically located region whose potential is not yet fully exploited, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said.
Speaking during the official opening of the 14th Theo Ben Gurirab Lecture Series under the theme: ‘Katima Mulilo a gateway to SADC: Unlocking the economic potential of Zambezi Region,’ Nandi-Ndaitwah said the region has a lot of potential and has a lot to offer towards the development of Namibia.
“Katima Mulilo is a gateway to SADC, and therefore plays a catalyst role in the facilitation of trade between Namibia and her neighbours due to its strategic location,” she said.
The deputy prime minister added that the theme for the lecture series was deliberately chosen to adequately interrogate the potential of the Zambezi Region so as to strategically position Namibia to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Free Trade Area Agreement in terms of job creation for the youth, and the enhancement of economic prospects of the country.
The region, she said, receives good rainfall and has good soil, making the conditions favourable for the region to become the food basket of Namibia, while at the same time increasing the volume of food exports.
Agriculture, tourism, the blue economy, access to markets, transport, energy and finance sectors are potential drivers of sustainable economic growth in Zambezi, Nandi-Ndaitwah added, noting that the governments of Namibia and Zambia recognised the Zambezi Region as a gateway to the regional market through Katima Mulilo and Ngoma Border Post.
“In this regard, a decision between Namibia and Zambia was reached to establish and implement a one-stop border post at the Katima Mulilo border. The work is underway and the implementation is at an advanced stage, and once established it will enable trucks from either side of the two countries to only make one stop at the border post,” she said.
This is aimed at reducing the clearance of goods turn-around and congestion at the border.
Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded by saying her ministry will continue to facilitate trade missions and assist Namibian businesses to take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area to access the markets.
Source: Namibia Press News Agency
