Namibia, China sign deals to tune of N$60 million

CHINA is to give Namibia a N$30-million grant for projects, while an interest-free loan of N$30 million was also signed after bilateral talks in Windhoek yesterday afternoon.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, on his first visit to Namibia, and President Hifikepunye Pohamba looked on as the agreements were signed. President Hu, accompanied by a 130-strong delegation, jetted into Windhoek from Zambia at midday yesterday for a 24-hour visit.Hu is on an eight-nation tour of Africa marked by largesse towards countries where Beijing’s presence is growing.Speaking through an interpreter, Hu said, “It has been my long-cherished dream to come and visit Namibia.”ECONOMIC DRIVE President Pohamba has actively promoted co-operation with China and, according to agency reports, trade in the first 11 months of 2006 amounted to US$240 million (about N$1,73 billion).This represents an increase of 103 per cent from the previous year.Officials did not provide details about how the funds signed off on yesterday would be used.”The specific use of the money must now be determined,” the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Calle Schlettwein, told The Namibian.Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amathila signed a technical and economic co-operation agreement with her Chinese counterpart.Environment and Tourism Minister Willem Konjore said some of the money would used to formulate a strategy to boost group tourism from China to Namibia.”This will be done together with the private sector,” Konjore said.Konjore signed a memorandum of understanding in this regard at the ceremony.In addition, Government will carry out a feasibility study on establishing a youth centre at Berg Aukas, where the National Youth Service is housed.The costs of the study will be covered by the grant.Some money will reportedly also be used to build a new primary school.There was no press conference and no chance for the media to ask any questions.In a short welcoming speech, President Pohamba lauded China’s support for Namibia’s liberation struggle.”We will always be grateful to China for the support extended to our struggle and for standing firmly with us in our current efforts towards economic and social development,” Pohamba said.”Your visit to Namibia provides us with an opportunity to further strengthen the excellent bilateral relations existing between our two countries.”Hu was full of praise for Namibia and Namibians.”Namibia is one of the youngest countries in Africa and its people, (who are) hard-working, talented and full of vitality, won national independence through arduous struggles and have since achieved great success in national development.”Today, President Hu will meet former president Sam Nujoma shortly before departing for South Africa.Meanwhile, Cabinet has adopted a report compiled by the Namibian delegation which ravelled to the China-Africa Summit in Beijing in November.Government will establish a co-ordinating committee to derive the maximum benefits from Namibia’s “new partnership with China”, the latest Cabinet briefing paper said.By March 21, the Committee must submit development strategies to Cabinet which must be implemented by April 1 at the latest.Government has asked China to consider seconding experts in infrastructure development, training and human capacity development to Namibia.The repayment of existing loans to Namibia were renegotiated.President Hu, accompanied by a 130-strong delegation, jetted into Windhoek from Zambia at midday yesterday for a 24-hour visit.Hu is on an eight-nation tour of Africa marked by largesse towards countries where Beijing’s presence is growing.Speaking through an interpreter, Hu said, “It has been my long-cherished dream to come and visit Namibia.” ECONOMIC DRIVE President Pohamba has actively promoted co-operation with China and, according to agency reports, trade in the first 11 months of 2006 amounted to US$240 million (about N$1,73 billion).This represents an increase of 103 per cent from the previous year.Officials did not provide details about how the funds signed off on yesterday would be used.”The specific use of the money must now be determined,” the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Calle Schlettwein, told The Namibian.Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amathila signed a technical and economic co-operation agreement with her Chinese counterpart.Environment and Tourism Minister Willem Konjore said some of the money would used to formulate a strategy to boost group tourism from China to Namibia. “This will be done together with the private sector,” Konjore said.Konjore signed a memorandum of understanding in this regard at the ceremony.In addition, Government will carry out a feasibility study on establishing a youth centre at Berg Aukas, where the National Youth Service is housed.The costs of the study will be covered by the grant.Some money will reportedly also be used to build a new primary school.There was no press conference and no chance for the media to ask any questions.In a short welcoming speech, President Pohamba lauded China’s support for Namibia’s liberation struggle.”We will always be grateful to China for the support extended to our struggle and for standing firmly with us in our current efforts towards economic and social development,” Pohamba said.”Your visit to Namibia provides us with an opportunity to further strengthen the excellent bilateral relations existing between our two countries.”Hu was full of praise for Namibia and Namibians.”Namibia is one of the youngest countries in Africa and its people, (who are) hard-working, talented and full of vitality, won national independence through arduous struggles and have since achieved great success in national development.”Today, President Hu will meet former president Sam Nujoma shortly before departing for South Africa.Meanwhile, Cabinet has adopted a report compiled by the Namibian delegation which ravelled to the China-Africa Summit in Beijing in November.Government will establish a co-ordinating committee to derive the maximum benefits from Namibia’s “new partnership with China”, the latest Cabinet briefing paper said.By March 21, the Committee must submit development strategies to Cabinet which must be implemented by April 1 at the latest.Government has asked China to consider seconding experts in infrastructure development, training and human capacity development to Namibia.The repayment of existing loans to Namibia were renegotiated.